Patents by Inventor Yasumasa Shimizu

Yasumasa Shimizu 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: 6758765
    Abstract: A multi-piece golf ball includes a core having a diameter of 30 to 40 mm, at least one intermediate layer including the outermost layer having a thickness of 0.5 to 2.0 mm, and a cover having a thickness of 0.5 to 2.0 mm. The core is made from a rubber composition mainly containing polybutadiene. The outermost layer is made from a resin material containing an ionomer resin in an amount of 30% by weight or more. The cover is made from a material obtained by dispersedly blending at least one kind of silicone powder selected from a silicone rubber powder, a silicon resin powder, and a composite powder thereof, in a main resin component containing an ionomer resin in an amount of 50% by weight or more. The hardness of said cover is smaller than the hardness of said outermost layer of said at least one intermediate layer and is larger than the hardness of a center portion of said core. The multi-piece golf ball is excellent in resilience, durability, feel of hitting, and controllability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Junji Hayashi, Hisashi Yamagishi, Yasumasa Shimizu, Yasushi Ichikawa
  • Publication number: 20040110577
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a two-piece solid golf ball consisting of a solid core and a cover, the solid core being formed from a rubber composition composed of a rubber base material of polybutadiene synthesized by using a catalyst of rare earth element, a small amount of organic peroxide, an unsaturated carboxylic acid and/or a metal salt thereof, an organic sulfur compound, and an inorganic filler, and the cover being formed mainly from a mixture of an ionomer-containing resin composition and an inorganic filler. The two-piece solid golf ball is by far superior to conventional ones in flying performance, cover durability, scuff resistance, and shot feeling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Applicant: BRIDGESTONE SPORTS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Junji Hayashi, Yasumasa Shimizu, Hiroshi Higuchi, Rinya Takesue
  • Publication number: 20040106474
    Abstract: In a multi-piece solid golf ball comprising a solid core, a mantle and a cover, the solid core is made of a rubber composition that includes a base rubber containing a polybutadiene synthesized using a rare-earth catalyst, a small amount of organic peroxide, an unsaturated carboxylic acid and/or a metal salt thereof, an organic sulfur compound and an inorganic filler. The mantle is made of a thermoplastic resin composition. The cover is made primarily of a thermoplastic polyurethane material. This construction provides the golf ball with a combination of outstanding flight performance and soft feel with cover's scuff resistance and coating's abrasion resistance, that is unprecedented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Applicant: BRIDGESTONE SPORTS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Junji Hayashi, Yasumasa Shimizu, Hiroshi Higuchi, Yasushi Ichikawa
  • Publication number: 20040106478
    Abstract: In a multi-piece solid golf ball comprising a solid core, a mantle and a cover, the solid core is made of a rubber composition comprising a base rubber containing a polybutadiene synthesized using a rare-earth catalyst, a small amount of organic peroxide, an unsaturated carboxylic acid and/or a metal salt thereof, an organic sulfur compound and an inorganic filler. The mantle is made of a thermoplastic resin composition. The cover is made primarily of a mixture of an ionomer resin-containing resin composition and an inorganic filler. This construction provides the golf ball with a combination of outstanding flight performance and soft feel with cover's scuff resistance and crack durability, that is unprecedented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Applicant: BRIDGESTONE SPORTS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Junji Hayashi, Yasumasa Shimizu, Hiroshi Higuchi, Rinya Takesue
  • Publication number: 20040106472
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a two-piece solid golf ball consisting of a solid core and a cover, said solid core being formed from a rubber composition composed of a rubber base material of polybutadiene synthesized by using a catalyst of rare earth element, a small amount of organic peroxide, an unsaturated carboxylic acid and/or a metal salt thereof, an organic sulfur compound, and an inorganic filler, and said cover being formed mainly from a mixture of a block copolymer having amino groups at terminals and an ionomer resin. The two-piece solid golf ball is by far superior to conventional ones in flying performance, cover durability, scuff resistance, and soft shot feeling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Applicant: BRIDGESTONE SPORTS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Junji Hayashi, Yasumasa Shimizu, Hiroshi Higuchi, Rinya Takesue
  • Publication number: 20040106473
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a two-piece golf ball formed of a solid core and a cover, the solid core being formed from a rubber composition composed of a rubber base material of polybutadiene synthesized by using a catalyst of rare earth element, a small amount of organic peroxide, an unsaturated carboxylic acid and/or a metal salt thereof, an organic sulfur compound, and an inorganic filler, and the cover being formed mainly from a thermoplastic polyurethane material. The two-piece golf ball is by far superior to conventional ones in flying performance, cover durability, coating durability, and shot feeling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Applicant: BRIDGESTONE SPORTS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Junji Hayashi, Yasumasa Shimizu, Hiroshi Higuchi, Yasushi Ichikawa
  • Publication number: 20040106470
    Abstract: In a multi-piece solid golf ball comprising a solid core, a mantle and a cover, the solid core is made of a rubber composition that includes a base rubber containing a polybutadiene synthesized using a rare-earth catalyst, a small amount of organic peroxide, an unsaturated carboxylic acid and/or a metal salt thereof, an organic sulfur compound and an inorganic filler. The mantle is made of a thermoplastic resin composition. The cover is made primarily of a mixture containing an amino-terminated block polymer and an ionomer resin. This construction provides the golf ball with a combination of outstanding flight performance, excellent scuff resistance and soft feel that is unprecedented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Applicant: BRIDGESTONE SPORTS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Junji Hayashi, Yasumasa Shimizu, Hiroshi Higuchi, Rinya Takesue
  • Publication number: 20040106471
    Abstract: In a multi-piece solid golf ball comprising a solid core, a mantle and a cover, the solid core is made of a rubber composition that includes (A) a base rubber containing a polybutadiene synthesized using a rare-earth catalyst, (B) a small amount of organic peroxide, (C) an unsaturated carboxylic acid and/or a metal salt thereof, (D) an organic sulfur compound and (E) an inorganic filler. The mantle is made of a thermoplastic resin composition. The cover is made of a material composed of a heated mixture of (F) an olefin/unsaturated carboxylic acid copolymer, an olefin/unsaturated carboxylic acid/unsaturated carboxylic acid ester copolymer, or a metal ion neutralization product thereof, (G) a polyurethane elastomer, and (H) an organic or inorganic basic compound. This construction provides the golf ball with an outstanding flight performance, excellent scuff resistance and a soft feel on impact, and minimizes the decline in rebound by the ball at low temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Applicant: BRIDGESTONE SPORTS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Junji Hayashi, Yasumasa Shimizu, Hiroshi Higuchi, Rinya Takesue
  • Patent number: 6743122
    Abstract: In a multi-piece solid golf ball comprising a solid core, an enclosure layer, an intermediate layer, and a cover, the enclosure layer and the intermediate layer each have a Shore D hardness of 10-50, the enclosure layer's Shore D hardness≦the intermediate layer's Shore D hardness≦the cover's Shore D hardness, and the deflections under a load of 100 kg of the solid core, a first spherical body consisting of the solid core and the enclosure layer, a second spherical body consisting of the solid core, the enclosure layer and the intermediate layer, and the ball are controlled to fall in specific ranges. The cover is formed of a cover stock comprising an ionomer resin and an inorganic filler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Junji Hayashi, Hisashi Yamagishi, Hiroshi Higuchi, Yasumasa Shimizu
  • Patent number: 6729974
    Abstract: The present invention is a two-piece golf ball which includes a core and a cover having a thickness of 1.0 to 3.0 mm. The core is made from a rubber composition containing a main rubber component which mainly contains polybutadiene. The cover is made from a material mainly containing an ionomer resin in which at least one kind of silicone powder selected from a silicone rubber powder, a silicon resin powder, and a composite powder thereof is dispersedly blended. The core has a hardness corresponding to a deflection in a range of 3.3 to 6.0 mm under an applied load of 100 kg. The cover has a Durometer D hardness in a range of 55 to 70.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Junji Hayashi, Hisashi Yamagishi, Yasumasa Shimizu, Yasushi Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 6726578
    Abstract: A two-piece golf ball includes a core and a cover having a thickness of 0.5 to 2.5 mm. The core has a hardness corresponding to a deflection in a range of 3.0 to 5.5 mm under a load of 100 kg. The cover has a Durometer D hardness 45 to 55. Dimples numbering 300 to 550 pieces are formed in the surface of the golf ball so that a dimple total volume ratio VR, which is a ratio of the total of volumes of dimple spaces under the planes surrounded by edges of the dimples in the surface of the golf ball to the total volume of a virtual ball as a result of assumption that no dimple is formed in the surface of the golf ball, is 0.85% or less. The two-piece golf ball is excellent in resilience, flight distance characteristic, controllability, and feel of hitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Bridgestone Sports CO, LTD
    Inventors: Junji Hayashi, Hisashi Yamagishi, Yasumasa Shimizu, Yasushi Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 6632148
    Abstract: A golf ball includes a solid core, an intermediate layer, and a cover in a surface of which a plurality of dimples are formed. The solid core has a center JIS-C hardness of 50-70 and a surface JIS-C hardness of 60-80, and has a diameter of 35-40 mm. The intermediate layer is made from a material mainly containing an ionomer resin, and has a JIS-C hardness of 70-85 and a thickness of 0.5-2 mm. The cover is made from a material mainly containing an ionomer resin, and has a JIS-C hardness of 85 or more and a thickness of 0.5-2 mm. A difference in JIS-C hardness between the intermediate layer and the surface of the solid core is in a range of 15 or less. A different in JIS-C hardness between the cover and the intermediate layer is in a range of 10 or more. The hardnesses of the solid core, the intermediate layer, and the cover satisfy a relationship of (hardness gradient from intermediate layer to cover)/(hardness gradient from core center to intermediate layer)≧6.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Junji Hayashi, Hisashi Yamagishi, Yasumasa Shimizu
  • Publication number: 20030167899
    Abstract: A prescribed number of bars are arranged in a percussion instrument such as a xylophone and marimba, wherein each bar is formed by a base layer, a fiber reinforced plastic layer, and a surface layer that are combined together using an epoxy adhesive therebetween. Both the base layer and surface layer is made of the prescribed hardwood material such as rosewood, hard birch, padauk, and Chinese quince, while the fiber reinforced plastic layer is formed by laminating one or more fiber reinforced plastic sheets, each of which is formed by impregnating and hardening thermosetting epoxy resin with fibers. All fibers can be aligned in a single direction slanted to the longitudinal direction of the bar. Alternatively, fibers are woven in two directions rectangularly crossing each other in a cloth form. Thus, it is possible to improve bars in striking durability as well as in sound quality and design.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Publication date: September 11, 2003
    Inventors: Hiroyasu Abe, Masayuki Kato, Yasumasa Shimizu, Yasuyuki Semba
  • Patent number: 6602152
    Abstract: A golf ball including a sold core and a cover is provided. A deformed amount of the solid core, measured by applying a load of 980 N thereto, is in a range of 4.0 to 6.0 mm. A JIS-C hardness of the cover is in a range of 75 to 95. A JIS-C hardness (Sh) of a surface of the core and a JIS-hardness (Ch) of a center portion of the core satisfy a relationship of 1.55×Ch−16≦Sh≦1.55×Ch−10. A JIS-C hardness (Vh) of the cover and a JIS-C hardness (Sh) of the surface of the core satisfy a relationship of 0.9×Vh−70≦Vh−Sh≦0.9×Vh−50. The hardnesses of the center portion of the core, the surface of the core, and the cover become higher in this order. With this configuration, the golf ball can exhibit a high carrying performance, a good controllability, a desirable very soft feeling of hitting, and an excellent durability against continuous hitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisashi Yamagishi, Junji Hayashi, Yasumasa Shimizu
  • Patent number: 6592471
    Abstract: In a golf ball comprising a solid core, a mantle, and a cover, the mantle is formed of a thermoplastic elastomer having a Shore D hardness of 30-52, the cover is formed of a thermoplastic resin loaded with a particulate inorganic filler, the solid core has a surface JIS C hardness 10-22 units greater than a center JIS C hardness, and the golf ball has an inertia moment of 82.5-85.5 kg·cm2. The ball is improved in durability and feel when hit with clubs of different types.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideo Watanabe, Yasumasa Shimizu, Akira Kawata
  • Publication number: 20030130060
    Abstract: A multi-piece golf ball includes a core having a diameter of 30 to 40 mm, at least one intermediate layer including the outermost layer having a thickness of 0.5 to 2.0 mm, and a cover having a thickness of 1.0 to 3.0 mm. The core is made from a rubber composition mainly containing polybutadiene. The outermost layer is made from a non-ionomer based thermoplastic resin. The cover is made from a material obtained by dispersedly blending at least one kind of silicone powder selected from a silicone rubber powder, a silicon resin powder, and a composite powder thereof, in a main resin component containing an ionomer resin in an amount of 50% by weight or more. The core has a hardness corresponding to a deflection in a range of 3.5 to 6.5 mm under an applied load of 100 kg.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2002
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Applicant: BRIDGESTONE SPORTS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Junji Hayashi, Hisashi Yamagishi, Yasumasa Shimizu, Yasushi Ichikawa
  • Publication number: 20030119608
    Abstract: A two-piece golf ball includes a core and a cover having a thickness of 1.0 to 3.0 mm. The core is made from a rubber composition containing a main rubber component which mainly contains polybutadiene. The cover is made from a material mainly containing an ionomer resin in which at least one kind of silicone powder selected from a silicone rubber powder, a silicon resin powder, and a composite powder thereof is dispersedly blended. The core has a hardness corresponding to a deflection in a range of 3.3 to 6.0 mm under an applied load of 100 kg. The cover has a Dulometer D hardness in a range of 55 to 70.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2002
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Applicant: BRIDGESTONE SPORTS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Junji Hayashi, Hisashi Yamagishi, Yasumasa Shimizu, Yasushi Ichikawa
  • Publication number: 20030119607
    Abstract: A two-piece golf ball includes a core and a cover having a thickness of 0.5 to 2.5 mm. The core is made from a rubber composition mainly containing polybutadiene. The cover is made from a material obtained by dispersedly blending at least one kind of silicone powder selected from a silicone rubber powder, a silicon resin powder, and a composite powder thereof, in a main resin component mainly containing an ionomer resin. The core has a hardness corresponding to a deflection in a range of 3.0 to 5.5 mm under an applied load of 100 kg. The cover has a Dulometer D hardness in a range of 45 to 55.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2002
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Applicant: BRIDGESTONE SPORTS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Junji Hayashi, Hisashi Yamagishi, Yasumasa Shimizu, Yasushi Ichikawa
  • Publication number: 20030114252
    Abstract: A multi-piece golf ball includes a core having a diameter of 30 to 40 mm, at least one intermediate layer including the outermost layer having a thickness of 0.5 to 2.0 mm, and a cover having a thickness of 0.5 to 2.0 mm. The core is made from a rubber composition mainly containing polybutadiene. The outermost layer is made from a resin material containing an ionomer resin in an amount of 30% by weight or more. The cover is made from a material obtained by dispersedly blending at least one kind of silicone powder selected from a silicone rubber powder, a silicon resin powder, and a composite powder thereof, in a main resin component containing an ionomer resin in an amount of 50% by weight or more. The hardness of the outermost layer of the at least one intermediate layer is harder than the hardness of a center portion of the core. The hardness of the cover is harder than the hardness of the outermost layer of the at least one intermediate layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2002
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Applicant: BRIDGESTONE SPORTS CO., LTD
    Inventors: Junji Hayashi, Hisashi Yamagishi, Yasumasa Shimizu, Yasushi Ichikawa
  • Publication number: 20030114253
    Abstract: A multi-piece golf ball includes a core having a diameter of 30 to 40 mm, at least one intermediate layer including the outermost layer having a thickness of 0.5 to 2.0 mm, and a cover having a thickness of 0.5 to 2.0 mm. The core is made from a rubber composition mainly containing polybutadiene. The outermost layer is made from a resin material containing an ionomer resin in an amount of 30% by weight or more. The cover is made from a material obtained by dispersedly blending at least one kind of silicone powder selected from a silicone rubber powder, a silicon resin powder, and a composite powder thereof, in a main resin component containing an ionomer resin in an amount of 50% by weight or more. The hardness of said cover is smaller than the hardness of said outermost layer of said at least one intermediate layer and is larger than the hardness of a center portion of said core. The multi-piece golf ball is excellent in resilience, durability, feel of hitting, and controllability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2002
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Applicant: BRIDGESTONE SPORTS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Junji Hayashi, Hisashi Yamagishi, Yasumasa Shimizu, Yasushi Ichikawa