Abstract: A golf ball defines a dimple spherical surface having a diameter of not greater than 42.66 mm and formed with a plurality of protrusions. The ball is unable to pass through a ring gage having an inner diameter of 42.67 mm.

Abstract: A two-piece solid golf ball comprising; a solid core formed of a rubber and a cover formed of an ionomer resin, the solid core has a diameter in the range of 35 to 41 mm and a hardness corresponding to distortion of 2.0 to 4.0 mm under applied load of 100 kg, the cover has a spherical surface, a Shore D hardness in the range of 40 to 70 and a gage in the range of 0.5 to 3 mm, and the spherical surface is formed of a plurality of dimples wherein, the dimples have a depth in the range of 0.08 to 0.15 mm and an average V.sub.O value for all the dimples is 0.5 to 0.9 where V.sub.O is the volume of a dimple space below a plane circumscribed by the dimple edge divided by the volume of a cylinder whose bottom is the plane and whose height is the maximum depth of the dimple from the bottom, and a percent dimple volume Vr given by the following equation is in the range of 0.75 to 1.

Abstract: The present invention provides a golf ball of improved symmetry by regulating volume, area, edge length and array symmetry indexes Vi, Si, Li, and Ni obtained from coordinates (.theta.j, .phi.j) of a dimple center as represented by the latitude (in radian) and longitude of the ball and a radius rj and a volume vj of a dimple, for correcting a difference in dimple effect caused by a distortion of roundness of the ball. The golf ball does not have dimples which intersect the mold parting line, and the dimples occupy at least 65% of the ball surface.

Abstract: In a golf ball having a parting line formed at the junction between a pair of mold sections and a plurality of dimples some of which lie across the parting line and being free of a great circle which does not intersect with the dimples, the crossing dimples lying across the parting line have a greater edge angle than those dimples of the same diameter as the crossing dimples disposed near the poles. The ball is improved in symmetry in that the flight distance is substantially equal between seam hitting and pole hitting.

Abstract: A golf ball includes a coating layer which has a thickness of 50-700 .mu.m and is formed at the surface portion of the golf ball. When a three-piece golf ball, for example, is prepared, a solid core is enclosed with a cover material having a two-layer structure composed of inner and outer cover layers, and mark stamping is then performed on the cover material. Subsequently, a transparent coating layer having a thickness of 50-700 .mu.m and made of a thermoplastic resin is formed as an outermost layer. It is possible to impart a desired surface hardness and surface friction coefficient to the golf ball without taking account of the overall structure of the golf ball and the relationship between the hardness of the core and the hardness of the cover, thereby increasing the degree of freedom in designing of the golf ball, especially, in designing of the surface hardness and the surface friction coefficient.

Abstract: In a golf ball having a parting line formed at the junction between a pair of mold sections and a plurality of dimples some of which lie across the parting line, the average space volume Vp of the dimples lying across the parting line is greater than the average space volume Vp' of the remaining dimples lying outside the parting line and/or the average Dp/Dm of the dimples lying across the parting line is greater than the average Dp/Dm of the remaining dimples lying outside the parting line wherein Dp and Dm are the depth and diameter of dimples, respectively. The golf ball is improved in symmetry in that no substantial difference occurs in flight distance between seam hitting and pole hitting.

Abstract: A method of molding a golf ball including the steps of;standing support pins in a cavity of a golf ball molding die composed of lower and upper dies having a mating surface,supporting a core of the golf ball by the support pins such that the core is positioned at the center of the cavity,reducing the pressure in the cavity to a degree of 400 to 1.times.10.sup.-3 Torr by a vacuum pump operably coupled to a vent pin clearance formed between a vent pin and the inner wall of a vent pin hole in which the vent pin is inserted and a support pin clearance formed between the support pin and the inner wall of a support pin hole in which the support pin is inserted, the vent pin clearance and the support pin clearance being formed in the range of from 5 .mu.m to 25 .mu.m at the top portions of the vent pin hole and the support pin hole, andinjection molding a golf ball-forming material to fill the space and curing the material.

Abstract: An injection mold for golf balls includes a pair of separable mold segments (1a, 1b). The mold segments (1a, 1b) are mated at their peripheral surfaces (12) along a parting line so that their inner surfaces (2a) define a spherical cavity (2). A plurality of dimple-forming projections (11) are formed on the inner surfaces (2a). At least four tubular gates (7) are disposed in the peripheral surfaces (12) and in fluid communication with the cavity (2). The peripheral surfaces (12) are furrowed except for the areas where the gates are disposed. Dimple-forming pins (14) are received in furrows (13) so as to lie across the parting line (PL). A molten stock material is injected into the cavity (2) through the gates (7) to mold a golf ball having dimples lying across the parting line.

Abstract: An air bag is made by forming a base cloth into the shape of a bag by stitching. The air bag is expanded by gas supplied from an inflator. Stitching of areas of the base cloth in the vicinity of the inflator is made non-extendable stitching, and stitching of areas of the base cloth distant from the inflator is made extendable stitching. As a result, even if the output of the inflator is high, gas leakage in the vicinity of the inflator can be prevented. Also, even if the output of the inflator is high, it is possible to suppress damage suffered by stitching thread in areas of stitching in the vicinity of the inflator.

Abstract: A golf ball is prepared by mating upper and lower mold halves (21a and 21b) to define a mold cavity (22), feeding a golf ball-molding material into the cavity to mold a golf ball, separating the upper and lower mold halves, and ejecting the molded golf ball from the lower mold half. A gas passage (2) is formed in the lower mold half in communication with the cavity. Pressurized gas is injected into the cavity (22) through the gas passage (2) to pneumatically urge the molded golf ball (23') away from the lower mold half (21b), thereby ejecting the molded golf ball from the lower mold half. The invention ensures effective ejection of a molded golf ball from the mold, producing golf balls free from flaws and deformation.

Abstract: Using a mold having typically two split mold segments which are mated in a separable manner to define a spherical mold cavity therein, a golf ball having a multiplicity of dimples in its surface is molded by feeding a molding material into the mold cavity. The mold is split along a line off a horizontal great circle of the golf ball into two split mold segments having different areas of contact with the ball. The golf ball as molded is always caught and left in the larger mold segment and thus can be easily removed from the mold by a routine operation.

Abstract: A golf ball molding apparatus includes a mold comprising a pair of upper and lower mold halves (1 and 2) adapted to be mated to define a spherical cavity therebetween, each mold half being formed of a non-magnetic material and having a thin film layer (4) of a magnetic material applied to a cavity-defining surface thereof. An induction heating coil (5) is embedded in each mold half adjacent to the thin film layer. A cooling channel (6) is extended in the mold half for passing coolant water therethrough. A high-frequency oscillator (11) is coupled to the coil (5) for generating a magnetic field having magnetic lines of force across the thin film layer whereby the thin film layer generates eddy current to heat the cavity-defining surface. Molten stock material is then injected into the cavity. Coolant water is passed through a bore of the coil and the channel for cooling the mold and the coil whereby the stock material solidifies.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising a core and a cover including at least two layers is improved in overall performance including flight performance, flight distance, spin, control and feel when an outermost layer of the cover has a gage of 0.01-0.05 mm and a Shore D hardness of 48.degree.-55.degree.. The core may be solid or wound. An inner layer of the cover has a Shore D hardness in the range of 58-70 and a thickness of 1.2-4.0 mm. The outer layer may be a thin film wrapped on the inner layer.

Abstract: A two or three piece golf ball in which a boundary surface between concentric solid layers has a projection formed on the surface of a concentric solid layer having a high hardness such that the projection extends along an approximate normal direction, a depression corresponding to the projection is formed in the surface of a concentric solid layer having a low hardness, and the concentric solid layer having a high hardness and the concentric solid layer having a low hardness are joined together such that the projection is inserted into the depression. A golf ball comprising a two-layer solid core is composed of a low-hardness inner core and a high-hardness outer core joined around the low-hardness inner core.

Abstract: A side protecting air bag comprising a body and an extension portion that are formed together into a bag shape. The body includes a mounting portion on the peripheral edge for mounting the air bag and is shaped to extend generally at a right angle from the mounting portion. The extension is formed so as to merge into the body along the mounting portion. When the air bag is folded, the extension is inserted into the body so that the body accommodating the extension is folded together with the extension onto the mounting portion.

Abstract: In a golf ball having a multiplicity of dimples of the same type arranged thereon and an equator, 6-12 dimples are arranged along the equator at an equal spacing and centered at the equator. The remaining dimples are arranged such that a great circle which does not intersect the dimples does not exist. A space where a dimple of the same size as the dimples can be formed is not left between the dimples. Due to a uniform arrangement of dimples including equator-centered ones, the golf ball is symmetrical enough to provide an increased carry and consistent flight independent of impact points.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising; a core and a multi-layered cover having an innermost layer enclosing the core, at least one intermediate layer enclosing the innermost layer, and an outermost layer enclosing the at least one intermediate layer. The innermost layer is composed of an ionomer resin, polyester elastomer, polyamide elastomer or polyurethane elastomer. The at least one intermediate layer is composed of an ionomer resin. The outermost layer is composed of an ionomer resin, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, polyurethane or polyethylene or a mixture thereof, and the at least one intermediate layer includes at least one layer which is harder than the innermost layer and the outermost layer.

Abstract: An air bag against side collision, wherein two faces of mutually opposed peripheral wall portions having a substantially rectangular shape are connected by tethers in a strip or band-like shape whereby a distance of separation between the side wall portions in expanding the air bag is restricted. The expanded shape of the air bag is a substantially rectangular plate having four edges. An inner location near a rear edge accommodates an inflator supplying gas for expansion. Two side edges extend substantially parallel with each other from opposite ends of the rear edge and a front edge In a folded state, the front edge side of the air bag is cactus-folded such that the front edge side enters the inner side of the rear edge side of the air bag and approaches the rear edge. Tethers are connected respectively to the peripheral wall portions with a width dimension parallel with folds where the front edge side of the air bag is drawn in.

Abstract: A pad for a steering wheel includes a membrane switch forming member and a cover member. The switch forming member includes a switch body and a support plate. The switch body has a plurality of conductive thin metal sheets and an insulating space interposed between the metal sheets. The support plate is made of rigid synthetic resin for supporting the switch body on its upper face and is formed in its outer peripheral edge with a plurality of mounting holes extending vertically. The cover member covers the air bag of an air bag device and is formed with a rupture portion adapted to be ruptured when the air bag is inflated, and mounting ribs projecting from the back face thereof and engaged with the mounting holes of the support plate. At least one of the outer peripheral edge of the support plate and the back face of the cover member is formed with gap regulating projections for setting a predetermined gap between the upper face of the support plate back face of the cover member.

Abstract: In a golf ball, dimples are arranged in its spherical surface such that a great circle which does not intersect with the dimples is not drawable on the ball surface, thereby preventing any drop of symmetry caused by the presence of a seam line. The dimples are further arranged such that a percent dimple volume VR given as (B/A).times.100% is in the range: 0.6%<VR<1.5% wherein a phantom sphere given on the assumption that the spherical surface of the ball is free of dimples has a volume of A mm.sup.3 and the sum of the volumes of dimples distributed throughout the ball is B mm.sup.3, thereby optimizing the percent dimple volume to ensure a longer carry.