Abstract: Multi-piece golf balls having a solid core made of a foamed silicone composition and a cover are provided. For example, three-piece, four-piece, and five-piece golf balls containing different core structures can be made. Preferably, a dual-core having has a silicone foam inner core (center) and surrounding thermoset or thermoplastic outer core layer is made. The silicone foam center has good thermal stability and durability without sacrificing resiliency. The surrounding outer core layer may be made from non-foamed or foamed compositions. For example, silicone foams, polyurethanes, polybutadiene rubber, or highly neutralized olefin acid copolymers may be used in the outer core layer.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a golf ball and a method for manufacturing a golf ball including a bladder core. In at least one embodiment, the bladder core includes an ethyl vinyl alcohol copolymer layer combined with multiple layers of thermoplastic polyurethane or other material to prevent leakage. In addition, it is contemplated that the bladder core may include a one-way valve for adjusting the pressure of a fluid within the bladder core to produce different performance characteristics.

Abstract: A golf ball including a core having a compression of about 50 or less and a coefficient of restitution of 0.800 or greater, the core including a hollow, liquid, gel, or gas-filled center and an outer core layer; a thermoset polyurea cover having a hardness of 64 Shore D or less and a thickness of 0.02 inches to 0.1 inches; and an intermediate layer disposed between the core and the cover, the intermediate layer having a thickness of 0.110 inches or greater; wherein a combination of the core and the intermediate layer results in a compression of 60 or greater and the golf ball has a coefficient of restitution of 0.805 or greater when measured at an incoming velocity of 125 ft/s and greater than 0.75 when measured at an incoming velocity of 160 ft/s.

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 golf ball having improved driving characteristics includes a hard, hollow sphere surrounded by an outer. A second layer may be disposed between the sphere and the outer cover. The hollow sphere is made from a hard material such as a metal, metal alloy, or intermetallic material and may be solid, perforated or porous. The second layer surrounding the sphere is generally made of a natural rubber or synthetic polymer or a combination of each which is surrounded by an outer cover made of an ionomer, urethane or balata. The hard sphere preferably contains a gas. A golf ball of this construction has improved performance characteristics such as low spin rate and further distance.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a solid, non-wound, golf ball comprising two or more core components, and a cover component. The core components comprise i) a pressurized foamed inner, spherical center component comprising a first matrix material selected from the group consisting of thermoset material, a thermoplastic material, or combinations thereof, a blowing agent and a cross-linking agent and, ii) an outer core layer disposed about the spherical center component, formed from a second matrix material selected from the group consisting of a thermoset material, a thermoplastic material, or combinations thereof. The golf ball may further comprise an additional outer core layer(s) that surround the outer core layer. The cover may be single or multi-layered.

Abstract: A golf ball having improved driving characteristics includes a hard, hollow sphere surrounded by an outer. A second layer may be disposed between the sphere and the outer cover. The hollow sphere is made from a hard material such as a metal, metal alloy, or intermetallic material and may be solid, perforated or porous. The second layer surrounding the sphere is generally made of a natural rubber or synthetic polymer or a combination of each which is surrounded by an outer cover made of an ionomer, urethane or balata. The hard sphere preferably contains a gas. A golf ball of this construction has improved performance characteristics such as low spin rate and further distance.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a solid, non-wound, golf ball comprising two or more core components, and a cover component. The core components comprise i) a pressurized foamed inner, spherical center component comprising a first matrix material selected from the group consisting of thermoset material, a thermoplastic material, or combinations thereof, a blowing agent and a cross-linking agent and, ii) an outer core layer disposed about the spherical center component, formed from a second matrix material selected from the group consisting of a thermoset material, a thermoplastic material, or combinations thereof. The golf ball may further comprise an additional outer core layer(s) that surround the outer core layer. The cover may be single or multi-layered.

Abstract: An electrical distribution assembly includes a distribution block having a first electrical connector. A distribution member includes a second electrical connector, with the second electrical connector mating with the first electrical connector. A retainer clip is separate from each of the distribution block and the distribution member. The retainer clip mechanically couples with and prevents electrical decoupling of the first electrical connector and the second electrical connector.

Abstract: A golf ball having improved driving characteristics includes a hard, hollow sphere surrounded by an outer cover. A second layer may be disposed between the sphere and the outer cover. The hollow sphere is made from a hard material such as a metal, metal alloy, or intermetallic material and may be solid, perforated or porous. The second layer surrounding the sphere is generally made of a natural rubber or synthetic polymer or a combination of each which is surrounded by an outer cover made of an ionomer, urethane or balata. The hard sphere preferably contains a gas. A golf ball of this construction has improved performance characteristics such as low spin rate and further distance.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hollow golf ball having a spherical cavity in the center, which exhibits excellent durability and less impact strength to result in excellent shot feel without degrading flight performance, and the production of the same. The hollow golf ball includes: (a) hollow center formed from a material selected from the group consisting of rubber, thermoplastic resin and a mixture thereof, the hollow center having a hollow portion with a diameter of 5 to 30 mm; (b) at least one core rubber layer, formed on said hollow center, the core rubber layer being obtained by vulcanizing a rubber composition which comprises a base rubber, a metal salt of an unsaturated carboxylic acid, an organic peroxide and filler; and (c) a cover formed on said core rubber layer.

Abstract: A finished, regulation long range, solid construction, multi-piece golf ball including a discrete cover and a core. The core has an inner and an outer portion. Either the outer portion or the entire core has a plurality of gas containing compressible cells dispersed therein, and either the outer portion or the entire core the a specific gravity greater than 1.The compressible cells are produce by a method selected from the group consisting of foaming, using a blowing agent, injecting a gas and incorporating a plurality of microspheres having a flexible outer surface.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to a golf ball having the beneficial characteristics of both a wound and solid construction ball. The invention is directed to a non-wound golf ball incorporating a compressible material, such as a gas, as part of its core. The compressible material can be dispersed throughout the entire core or only in a part of the core. The compressible material or gas can be incorporated into the core by including or dispersing microspheres having a flexible shell containing the compressible material or gas. The golf balls of this invention combine the feel and playing characteristics of a wound construction ball with the shelf-life, manufacturing simplicity and durability of solid construction golf balls.