Abstract: Disclosed herein is a golf ball comprising a spherical shell which includes at least an inner first layer, a second layer, and a third layer, the second layer being sandwiched between the first layer and the third layer, and a core which substantially fills the spherical shell, the core comprising at least one of a liquid, a gel and a melt. The sum of the thickness of the first layer, second layer and third layer is 0.10-0.30 inches. The core at least substantially fills the spherical shell without stressing the spherical shell. The spherical shell, as opposed to the core, is primarily responsible for the high initial velocity obtained when the golf ball is struck by a golf club so as to allow the golf ball to be driven long distances both in the air and on the ground when it lands. A method of making the golf ball also is disclosed. The golf ball is particularly well-suited for use by players seeking a long distance ball with a low spin rate.

Abstract: A ball comprising an interior layer; an intermediate layer having a plurality of spacer panels extending radially outwardly from the interior layer, the panels each having interior edge located adjacent to the interior layer and an exterior edge and lateral side edges therebetween coupled to lateral side edges of adjacent panels in a waffle-like configuration to form a plurality of recesses extending downwardly from the exterior edges to thereby form a grid pattern of recesses with an exterior surface formed from the free exterior edges; and an exterior layer adjacent to the exterior surface of the intermediate layer for entrapping pockets of air within the recesses.

Abstract: A two-piece golf ball of improved playing characteristics comprisinga core having a weight of substantially 34.4 grams anda cover having a weight of substantially 11.1 grams. The ball has a total weight of no more than 46.0 grams and a dimple pattern covering at least 70.0% of the surface of the ball.

Abstract: A golf ball of improved playing characteristics weighing no more than 1.62 ounces and having a mean outside diameter of at least 1.70 inches. A dimple pattern on the surface of the ball may include a plurality of dimples which have different diameters. The dimples cover at least 65% of the surface of the ball.

Abstract: A golf ball of improved playing characteristics weighing no more than 1.62 ounces and having a mean outside diameter of at least 1.70 inches. A dimple pattern on the surface of the ball may include a plurality of dimples whch have different diameters. The dimples cover at least 70% of the surface of the ball. The ball has a core diameter of substantially 1.545 inches and a cover thickness of substantially 0.086 inch.

Abstract: A golf ball of improved playing characteristics weighing no more than 1.62 ounces and having a mean outside diameter of at least 1.70 inches. A dimple pattern on the surface of the ball may include a plurality of dimples which have different diameters. The dimples cover at least 70% of the surface of the ball. A core and cover are used which provide a finished ball having a coefficient of restitution between 0.790 and 0.830.

Abstract: An improved golf ball comprising a hollow, spherical shell of a polymeric material; a unitary, noncellular core of a material which, at the time of introduction into the shell, is a liquid and a one-piece spherical cover over the center. The spherical shell, as opposed to the core, is primarily responsible for the high initial velocity obtained when the golf ball is struck by a golf club so as to allow the golf ball to be driven long distances both in the air and on the ground when it lands. In an alternate embodiment, the center and cover are of a one-piece, blow-molded construction.

Abstract: A golf ball of improved playing characteristics weighing no more than 1.62 ounces and having a mean outside diameter of at least 1.70 inches. A dimple pattern on the surface of the ball may include a plurality of dimples which have different diameters. The dimples cover at least 70% of the surface of the ball.

Abstract: An improved golf ball having a coefficient of restitution of at least 0.700 and comprising a hollow, spherical shell of a deformable polymeric material which is filled with either a liquid or a unitary, non-cellular core of a material which, at the time of introduction into the shell, is a liquid. The spherical shell may be solid or cellular. The core material may be added through a hole in the shell as a liquid, a gel or a melt. In the preferred embodiment, the spherical shell is formed from two half shells which are bonded to each other. The mating edges of the half shells may have surface configurations which maximize their contact area.

Abstract: A softball having a core and a cover wherein the ball has a circumference of approximately 12 inches, a weight of 175 to 178 grams, a coefficient of restitution of approximately 0.478 and a compression from about 0.010 to 0.014 inches, wherein said core has a density from about 15.5 to 16.5 pounds per cubic foot, and a hardness from about 72 to 78 on the shore A scale, said core being formed from a cellular polymeric material. The core is surrounded by a cover having a specific gravity of about 1.2, a thickness from about 0.035 inches to 0.060 inches and a hardness from about 78 to 90 on the Shore A scale. The cover is formed from a vinyl resin, a phthalate compound, stabilizers and a titanium dioxide dispersion.

Abstract: A molded solid softball of a unitary substantially spherical body having simulated stitching including protrusions and indentations on the outer surface integral with the body of the ball and further having simulated holes adjacent the outer edges of the stitching. The stitch holes extend into the body a distance sufficient to simulate the depth of the stitching holes or a standard stitched leather-covered ball. The depth of the stitch holes is between 0.040 and 0.070 inches.

Abstract: A method of constructing a mold for making game balls which comprises inserting pins of a predetermined length in the stitch holes of a stitched leather ball, depositing metallic mold material on the surface of the ball so as to cover the pins, dividing the metal/master assembly into mating halves, each half being symmetrical with respect to the stitching on the ball, and removing the master including the pins from the ball.

Abstract: Disclosed is a unified set of golf clubs, from wood clubs through wedge clubs, in which loft and lie angles, face progression, and club lengths are coordinated and correlated. The center of gravity of each club is lower, further back and more centered on the club face than is usual. In addition, each golf club of the set features a sole width of at least 1.25 inches. The center of gravity of each club head is located no more than 0.7 inch above the sole and at least 0.5 inch from the centerline of the club shaft.The club heads of this invention may be fabricated as a hollow metal shell. Alternatively, the club heads may be formed of a low density, high strength material such as reaction injection molded polyurethane. In such an embodiment weighted inserts are molded into and encapsulated within the polyurethane.

Abstract: A two-piece softball or baseball includes a molded core and a molded cover including simulated stitching having protrusions and indentations integral with the cover material. Stitch holes adjacent the simulated stitching extend through the cover to the spherical core to simulate the depth of the stitching holes in a standard stitched leather covered ball.

Abstract: Disclosed is a composition for manufacturing one-piece golf ball cores having improved coefficient of restitutions. The composition comprises an elastomer cross-linkable with a free radical initiator catalyst, a metal salt of an alpha, beta, ethylinically unsaturated monocarboxylic acid such as zinc di or mono acrylate or methacrylate, a free radical initiator catalyst, and a polyfunctional isocyanate, preferably a diisocyanate such as 4,4' diphenylmethane diisocyanate, or a polymer thereof.

Abstract: A softball having a core and a cover wherein the ball has a circumference of approximately 12 inches, a weight of 175 to 178 grams, a coefficient of restitution of approximately 0.478 and a compression from about 0.010 to 0.014 inches, wherein said core has a density from about 15.5 to 16.5 pounds per cubic foot, and a hardness from about 72 to 78 on the shore A scale, said core being formed from a cellular polymeric material. The core is surrounded by a cover having a specific gravity of about 1.2, a thickness from about 0.035 inches to 0.060 inches and a hardness from about 78 to 90 on the Shore A scale. The cover is formed from a vinyl resin, a phthalate compound, stabilizers and a titanium dioxide dispersion.

Abstract: Disclosed is a golf ball having improved short iron and wood playability and improved puttability relative to conventional, ionomer covered balls. The golf balls comprise a novel cover which is far more durable than balata-covered balls yet closely approach or exceed their playability characteristics. The cover comprises a blend of a thermoplastic urethane having a Shore A hardness less than 95 and an ionomer having a Shore D hardness greater than 55. The relative amounts of the urethane and ionomer are set so that the cover has a Shore C hardness within the range of 70 to 85, most preferably 72 to 76.

Abstract: Disclosed is a two-piece golf ball and methods for its production. The ball comprises a core having a central portion of a cross-linked, hard, resilient material and having a soft, deformable outer layer. Balls comprising the novel cores and a conventional cover material having playability properties approaching or exceeding thread-wound balata covered balls. The core is preferably manufactured by surface treating a slug of a suitable, curable elastomer composition with a cure altering agent, and molding the slug under conditions to produce a spherical core having a hardness gradient in its surface layers.

Abstract: A novel structural member, such as a tennis racket, and the method for making same, provides a high strength to weight ratio. The structural member of this invention consists of a fiberglass shell which surrounds a syntactic foam core. The fiberglass shell may be further selectively reinforced with a ribbon which is formed from a high strength fiber such as boron fibers, graphite fibers, aramid fibers, etc. Because the structure of this invention incorporates a high strength to weight ratio it can be utilized in the manufacture of rackets of conventional and radical design.This invention relates to a structural member consisting of a tennis racket having a high strength to weight ratio.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to a golf ball having a cover which is completely or partially formed from a cellular polymeric material. By incorporating the subject invention into a golf ball structure, it is possible to selectively alter its "feel" characteristics, the physical properties and flight characteristics. The subject invention can be utilized with golf balls having either solid or wound cores. The subject golf ball cover can be formed from a plurality of natural and synthetic polymeric materials. It is preferred that the golf ball cover be formed from ionic copolymers of polyolefins and unsaturated monocarboxylic acids wherein said ionomers incorporate zinc or sodium ions. Mixtures of said ionic copolymers may likewise be utilized.