Abstract: The present invention encompasses a golf ball having a diameter and being comprised of a core and a cover, wherein the core is further comprised of a fluid mass at the center of the ball, a first mantle layer surrounding the fluid mass and a second, solid, non-wound mantle layer surrounding and abutting the first mantle layer, wherein the first mantle layer comprises a polymer material selected from the group consisting of a thermoset rubber, plastic and thermoplastic elastomeric material and the second mantle layer comprises a polymer material selected from the group consisting of a thermoset rubber material and thermoplastic elastomeric material, and wherein the cover comprises polyurethane, polyurea, or a polyurea/polyurethane hybrid.

Abstract: A method of making a golf ball core, including the steps of providing a plurality of centers; providing a top mold plate defining a first plurality of cavities, a bottom mold plate defining a second plurality of cavities corresponding to the first cavities, and a center mold plate disposed between the top and bottom mold plates and comprising a plurality of corresponding protrusions; forming a plurality of shells from a layer material by placing the layer material into the top and bottom mold plate cavities; and molding the layer material around the protrusions of the center plate by applying at least one of heat and pressure to the top and bottom mold plates such that the layer material has a different temperature than the mold plates; opening at least one mold plate from the center plate and placing the centers in the shells; and joining the top and bottom mold plates to join the shells around the centers.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a winding apparatus and method for winding a thread on a golf ball center. The apparatus comprises a plurality of rotating members supported for rotation and guiding the thread to a golf ball center winding station. The sum of the rotational inertias of the rotating members is low or less than about 3000 grams-cm2. The apparatus further includes a roller and at least one brake operatively connected with the roller for changing the rotation thereof. The brake can be a magnetic brake and include a permanent magnet or an electro-magnet. The method of the present invention allows the tension to be changed by applying a magnetic force to at least one roller. In one embodiment, the step of changing the tension includes using a magnetic brake. The present invention is particularly useful in winding thread with a breaking tension below about 800 grams.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an automated molding machine and method for forming hemispherical components for a golf ball. The machine includes an L-shaped frame and three separate plates. The plates move between longitudinally spaced positions and vertically spaced positions. The machine also includes a rotating frame for inverting several of the plates during manufacture.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved golf ball and a method of winding that includes measuring and controlling thread stress directly, rather than maintaining and controlling the level of tension on the threads. The golf ball includes a center, a wound layer that surrounds the center to form a wound core, and a cover that surrounds the wound core. The wound layer is formed of at least one thread, and the wound layer includes a plurality of radially extending sections, each section has a thread stress. The stress within each section is substantially constant, but at least two radially extending sections have different stresses. The method for winding thread onto a golf ball center to form a wound core comprises the steps of measuring a stress within a portion of the thread; winding the thread about the golf ball center while applying a force on the thread to form a plurality of portions with predetermined thicknesses and varying the stress between the portions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to controlling the spin of liquid or paste filled golf balls without requiring adjustment of the physical properties of the fluid or paste within the golf ball. Specifically, the inner surface of the liquid center shell is modified with a texture to alter frictional drag between the inner surface of the shell and the fluid to control spin rate and spin decay of the golf ball.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward the novel use of thermoplastic materials to form center core shells for use in liquid filled golf balls. Golf balls of the present invention employ liquid filled centers formed from thermoplastic shells, preferably made of a polyether-ester, the shells having a tensile modulus of about 3 ksi to about 10 ksi, preferably a hardness of about 20 to about 80 shore D, preferably a flexural modulus of about 5.5 ksi to about 8.5 ksi, preferably a wound layer, and preferably a specific gravity of greater than 1.5. The shell has a thickness of about 0.005 inches to about 0.5 inches.

Abstract: The invention is directed towards several methods for forming liquid filled centers from thermoplastic materials, including methods for sealing the liquid filled centers subsequent to filling with liquid. The methods exploit the beneficial processing characteristics of thermoplastic materials so as to provide efficient methods for producing liquid filled center cores.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards the novel use of polyether-amide block copolymer to form center core shells for use in liquid filled golf balls. Wound golf balls of the present invention which employ liquid filled centers formed from polyether-amide block copolymer exhibit the same or superior in-play characteristics such as initial velocity as compared to conventional wound golf balls.

Abstract: An improved process of operating a mold frame for molding golf balls and comprised of a frame plate member having a plurality of cavities therein for receiving a plurality of half-molds and a plurality of bores for fluid communication between half-molds, defining a plurality of half-molds rows and having a cross bore extending across a first end of each of the half-mold rows, comprising the steps of (1) loading ball assemblies into the half-molds; (2) molding golf ball assemblies by flowing a hot thermal medium into the cross bore at least two distinct locations to define at least two flow paths and dividing each flow path into a least two parallel paths through the half-mold rows such that any portion of the hot thermal medium flows through only one of the half-mold rows; and (3) unloading the molded golf balls from the half-molds.

Abstract: The invention is an improvement to mold frames having replaceable half-molds for forming golf balls. The invention is directed to dividing the flow path through the mold for the thermal medium into a plurality (2 to the number of cavity rows) of parallel flow paths, i.e., water entering the mold flows through only one row of half-molds.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved safety device for stopping cable payout in an overspeed condition, and particularly to a safety device for securing an object from falling because of failure of a hoisting device. According to the invention, an inertial actuated drum locking mechanism comprises an inertial member mounted on a cable rewind drum. The inertial member is pivotable so that when actuated by inertial force above a predetermined value due to overspeed rotation of the drum, the inertial member moves to engage a fixed member for arresting further motion of the drum. The inertial member is held in place until the outward force exceeds the predetermined value, at which point, the inertial member toggles outward to provide rapid and positive engagement of the locking mechanism.

Abstract: A method of matching a golfer with golf balls with varying aerodynamic properties is disclosed. The "launch conditions" with which the golfer "launches" a golf ball are measured to determine the golf ball dimple pattern most suitble for a particular golfer or to determine modifications which should be made in his style of play or club design.

Abstract: A "wood-type" golf club comprising a plurality of separately constructed and finished components is disclosed. In its preferred form, the golf club comprises a face plate, a club head block and a reinforcing collar. The face plate, the club head block and the collar are separately constructed and finished and subsequently assembled into a finished golf club. According to the invention, the construction and finishing of the individual components and subsequent assembly thereof is such that at selected interfaces between the components of different material, relative movement of the components due to thermal expansion, moisture, etc. does not produce visible component interface separation lines. This may be accomplished by providing unequal peripheral dimensions of the components of different materials at the selected interfaces.

Abstract: A method of matching a golfer with golf balls with varying aerodynamic properties is disclosed. The "launch conditions" with which the golfer "launches" a golf ball are measured to determine the golf ball dimple pattern most suitable for a particular golfer or to determine modifications which should be made in his style of play or club design.