Patents by Inventor Hirotaka Shinohara

Hirotaka Shinohara has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11883720
    Abstract: A golf ball composed of a core and a cover has a spin rate and a launch angle on approach shots at a head speed (HS) of 20 m/s or 10 m/s that satisfy formulas (1) and (2) below: Spin W/Spin D?0.70??(1) Ang W/Ang D<1.20??(2). Here, Spin D is the spin rate (rpm) under dry conditions, Spin W is the spin rate (rpm) under wet conditions, Ang W is the launch angle (°) under wet conditions and Ang D is the launch angle (°) under dry conditions. The golf ball suppresses a decrease in the spin rate on approach shots in rainy weather and thus has an improved controllability, making it especially useful to professional golfers and skilled amateurs who desire a high spin performance around the green.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Kimura, Hirotaka Shinohara
  • Patent number: 11731005
    Abstract: A method for producing a golf ball of the present invention includes the steps of: forming a first coating film on a surface of a covering having a plurality of dimples; and forming a second coating film on a surface of the first coating film. The second coating film is formed of a second coating material composition containing a polyurethane coating material and a solvent having a boiling point of 80° C. or less. An elastic recovery rate of the second coating film is 50% or more. In the golf ball of the present invention obtained by the method, an edge ratio which is a ratio of a film thickness of the second coating film in an edge portion of the dimple to a film thickness of the second coating film in a central portion of the dimple is 50% or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirotaka Shinohara, Takeharu Fujie
  • Patent number: 11541281
    Abstract: Provided are a golf ball and a resin composition for a cover or topcoat thereof which can suppress the yellowing of the golf ball caused by ultraviolet rays even if a naturally derived substance is used as an ultraviolet absorber, and they are environmentally and human friendly. A resin composition for a cover or topcoat of a golf ball of the present invention contains: a resin for a cover or topcoat; and a plant-derived extract which absorbs ultraviolet rays. The resin composition has a color difference ?E of 10.0 or less in a Lab color system between before and after a color tone change test, the color tone change test being carried out by irradiating a film formed from the resin composition with a xenon lamp. In the golf ball of the present invention, the cover or the topcoat is formed by using the resin composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hirotaka Shinohara
  • Publication number: 20220401795
    Abstract: In a golf ball having a core, a cover and a coating layer, the coating layer is formed of a urethane coating that includes an organic solvent having a boiling point of 80° C. or less, a silicone-based additive and, as a curing agent, a polyisocyanate which contains an adduct and an isocyanurate of hexamethylene diisocyanate. Although the golf ball includes a silicone-based additive in the outer surface (coating layer) of the ball, it has a good spin performance on approach shots not only when wet but also when normally dry, and is capable of exhibiting both a good water-repelling performance and a good friction performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2022
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Applicant: BRIDGESTONE SPORTS CO.,LTD.
    Inventors: Hirotaka SHINOHARA, Takuichi SHIMIZU, Masahiro YAMABE
  • Publication number: 20220401796
    Abstract: A golf ball according to the present invention includes a core, a cover located outside the core and having a plurality of dimples, and a coating layer located outside the cover and containing a delusterant, the surface of the coating layer having an average roughness Ra of at least 0.35. The surface of the golf ball has a static friction coefficient of at least 0.20. A method for producing a golf ball according to the present invention includes forming a coating layer on the surface of a cover having a plurality of dimples by using a coating material composition including a polyurethane coating material, a delusterant, and a solvent having a boiling point of at least 130° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2022
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Applicant: BRIDGESTONE SPORTS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hirotaka SHINOHARA
  • Patent number: 11511162
    Abstract: A golf ball having a cover with a plurality of dimples on the surface thereof is provided with a coat of mutually differing properties on dimple areas of the surface and on land areas between the dimples. The land areas are formed with a coat having a high coefficient of friction and the dimple areas have a surface energy of not more than 32 dynes, enabling a lower spin rate to be achieved and thus increasing the distance traveled by the ball, particularly when struck with a middle iron, and also help impart a high spin rate and a good controllability on approach shots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hirotaka Shinohara
  • Patent number: 11504584
    Abstract: A golf ball of the present disclosure includes an inner ball and a cover layer that covers the outer surface of the inner ball and includes an outer surface with dimples. The inner ball includes an inner layer, which includes an outer surface with a recess, and an inner film that covers only the surface of the recess on the outer surface of the inner layer. The inner layer and the inner film are different colors from each other, and the cover layer is transparent or semi-transparent. Peeling of the film can be suppressed in the golf ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: BRIDGESTONE SPORTS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hirotaka Shinohara, Masanobu Kuwahara
  • Patent number: 11376475
    Abstract: To provide a golf ball that can prevent a decrease in carry distance of a driver shot when it rains and also, can exert excellent spinning performance upon an approach shot. The golf ball of the present invention includes a core, a cover that is provided on an outer side of the core and is provided with dimples, and an outermost layer that is formed on an outer side of the cover and made of a material having a contact angle of 90° or more. The golf ball has a dynamic friction coefficient of 0.52 or more. The material constituting the outermost layer comprises a urethane coating that contains a water repellent additive, and the water repellent additive includes a fluorinated surfactant, silicone-modified acrylate or hydrophobic silica.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirotaka Shinohara, Takashi Ohira
  • Publication number: 20220193501
    Abstract: A method for producing a golf ball of the present invention includes the steps of: forming a first coating film on a surface of a covering having a plurality of dimples; and forming a second coating film on a surface of the first coating film. The second coating film is formed of a second coating material composition containing a polyurethane coating material and a solvent having a boiling point of 80° C. or less. An elastic recovery rate of the second coating film is 50% or more. In the golf ball of the present invention obtained by the method, an edge ratio which is a ratio of a film thickness of the second coating film in an edge portion of the dimple to a film thickness of the second coating film in a central portion of the dimple is 50% or more.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2021
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Applicant: BRIDGESTONE SPORTS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hirotaka SHINOHARA, Takeharu FUJIE
  • Publication number: 20220193500
    Abstract: Provided are a golf ball and a resin composition for a cover or topcoat thereof which can suppress the yellowing of the golf ball caused by ultraviolet rays even if a naturally derived substance is used as an ultraviolet absorber, and they are environmentally and human friendly. A resin composition for a cover or topcoat of a golf ball of the present invention contains: a resin for a cover or topcoat; and a plant-derived extract which absorbs ultraviolet rays. The resin composition has a color difference ?E of 10.0 or less in a Lab color system between before and after a color tone change test, the color tone change test being carried out by irradiating a film formed from the resin composition with a xenon lamp. In the golf ball of the present invention, the cover or the topcoat is formed by using the resin composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2021
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Applicant: BRIDGESTONE SPORTS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hirotaka SHINOHARA
  • Publication number: 20220193499
    Abstract: Provided are a golf ball which has a surface that sparkles when exposed to ultraviolet rays even if a naturally derived substance is used as a fluorescent material, and it is environmentally and human friendly, and a resin composition for a cover or a topcoat therefor. A resin composition for a cover or a topcoat of a golf ball of the present invention includes: a resin for a cover or a topcoat; and a plant-derived or alga-derived extract which emits light using an absorbed light as an energy source, as a fluorescent material. In the golf ball of the present invention, the cover or the topcoat is formed by using such a resin composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2021
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Applicant: Bridgeston Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hirotaka Shinohara
  • Publication number: 20210387058
    Abstract: A golf ball of the present disclosure includes an inner ball and a cover layer that covers the outer surface of the inner ball and includes an outer surface with dimples. The inner ball includes an inner layer, which includes an outer surface with a recess, and an inner film that covers only the surface of the recess on the outer surface of the inner layer. The inner layer and the inner film are different colors from each other, and the cover layer is transparent or semi-transparent. Peeling of the film can be suppressed in the golf ball.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2021
    Publication date: December 16, 2021
    Applicant: BRIDGESTONE SPORTS CO.,LTD.
    Inventors: Hirotaka SHINOHARA, Masanobu KUWAHARA
  • Publication number: 20210387384
    Abstract: A golf ball manufacturing method includes an inner layer molding step of molding an inner layer that includes an outer surface with a recess, an inner film formation step, after the inner layer molding step, of coating the outer surface of the inner layer with inner film paint to form an inner film, an inner film removal step, after the inner film formation step, of removing the inner film except for a portion thereof covering a surface of the recess to obtain an inner ball that includes the inner layer and the inner film, and a cover layer molding step, after the inner film removal step, of molding a cover layer that includes an outer surface with dimples on an outer circumferential side of the inner ball to obtain a golf ball. The inner layer and inner film are different colors, and the cover layer is transparent or semi-transparent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2021
    Publication date: December 16, 2021
    Applicant: BRIDGESTONE SPORTS CO.,LTD.
    Inventor: Hirotaka SHINOHARA
  • Publication number: 20210339087
    Abstract: A golf ball having a cover with a plurality of dimples on the surface thereof is provided with a coat of mutually differing properties on dimple areas of the surface and on land areas between the dimples. The land areas are formed with a coat having a high coefficient of friction and the dimple areas have a surface energy of not more than 32 dynes, enabling a lower spin rate to be achieved and thus increasing the distance traveled by the ball, particularly when struck with a middle iron, and also help impart a high spin rate and a good controllability on approach shots.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2021
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Applicant: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hirotaka SHINOHARA
  • Patent number: 11148009
    Abstract: A golf ball paint composition includes primarily a urethane paint containing polyol as a base resin and polyisocyanate as a curing agent. The polyisocyanate includes two types of isocyanurate and adduct of hexamethylene diisocyanate and the golf ball paint composition has an elastic work recovery of at least 70%. The paint composition has a high self-repairing ability and is of high quality as a golf ball paint. Golf balls coated with this composition are able to maintain a good durability, in addition to which they have an excellent abrasion resistance and an excellent ball appearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hirotaka Shinohara
  • Patent number: 11141628
    Abstract: A golf ball wherein a slide amount Ds is 1.05 mm or less and a post-slide contact time Tc is 600 ?s or more in the case where a golf ball 140 is dropped freely from a height position of 3 m above and away from a collision surface 130a inclined 58 degrees with respect to a horizontal direction to collide with the collision surface, the slide amount Ds being a vertical displacement of the golf ball from when the golf ball starts sliding on the collision surface to when the golf ball stops sliding on the collision surface, and the post-slide contact time Tc being a period from when the golf ball stops sliding on the collision surface to when the golf ball leaves the collision surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: BRIDGESTONE SPORTS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hirotaka Shinohara, Takuichi Shimizu
  • Patent number: 11097161
    Abstract: A golf ball having a cover with a plurality of dimples on the surface thereof is provided with a coat of mutually differing properties on dimple areas of the surface and on land areas between the dimples. The dimple areas are formed with a coat having a low coefficient of friction, do not affect the spin performance when the ball is struck and are not prone to staining. The land areas are formed with a coat having a high coefficient of friction, enabling a lower spin rate to be achieved and thus increasing the distance traveled by the ball, particularly when struck with a middle iron, and also help impart a high spin rate and a good controllability on approach shots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hirotaka Shinohara
  • Publication number: 20210187358
    Abstract: A golf ball wherein a slide amount Ds is 1.05 mm or less and a post-slide contact time Tc is 600 ?s or more in the case where a golf ball 140 is dropped freely from a height position of 3 m above and away from a collision surface 130a inclined 58 degrees with respect to a horizontal direction to collide with the collision surface, the slide amount Ds being a vertical displacement of the golf ball from when the golf ball starts sliding on the collision surface to when the golf ball stops sliding on the collision surface, and the post-slide contact time Tc being a period from when the golf ball stops sliding on the collision surface to when the golf ball leaves the collision surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2020
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Applicant: BRIDGESTONE SPORTS CO.,LTD.
    Inventors: Hirotaka SHINOHARA, Takuichi SHIMIZU
  • Publication number: 20210187361
    Abstract: A golf ball composed of a core and a cover has a spin rate and a launch angle on approach shots at a head speed (HS) of 20 m/s or 10 m/s that satisfy formulas (1) and (2) below: Spin W/Spin D?0.70 ??(1) Ang W/Ang D<1.20 ??(2) Here, Spin D is the spin rate (rpm) under dry conditions, Spin W is the spin rate (rpm) under wet conditions, Ang W is the launch angle (°) under wet conditions and Ang D is the launch angle (°) under dry conditions. The golf ball suppresses a decrease in the spin rate on approach shots in rainy weather and thus has an improved controllability, making it especially useful to professional golfers and skilled amateurs who desire a high spin performance around the green.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2020
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Applicant: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Kimura, Hirotaka Shinohara
  • Publication number: 20210077861
    Abstract: To provide a golf ball that can prevent a decrease in carry distance of a driver shot when it rains and also, can exert excellent spinning performance upon an approach shot. The golf ball of the present invention includes a core, a cover that is provided on an outer side of the core and is provided with dimples, and an outermost layer that is formed on an outer side of the cover and made of a material having a contact angle of 90° or more. The golf ball has a dynamic friction coefficient of 0.52 or more. The material constituting the outermost layer comprises a urethane coating that contains a water repellent additive, and the water repellent additive includes a fluorinated surfactant, silicone-modified acrylate or hydrophobic silica.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2020
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Applicant: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirotaka SHINOHARA, Takashi OHIRA