Particular Unitary Or Layered Construction Patents (Class 473/371)
  • Patent number: 8772409
    Abstract: Compositions comprising the reaction product of: (a) a polyalkenamer; and (b) an organic modifier that includes at least one carbon to carbon unsaturated bond and at least one functional group selected from carboxyl, hydroxyl, amino, epoxy, (meth)acrylate, vinyl, ester, isocyanate, carbonyl, urethane, anhydride, or a metal salt thereof. Also disclosed are golf balls that include (i) a core, (ii) at least one intermediate layer, and (iii) at least one cover layer, wherein at least one of the core, intermediate layer or cover layer includes the polyalkenamer/functionalized organic modifier composition as a majority ingredient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Hyun J. Kim, Hong G. Jeon
  • Publication number: 20140187351
    Abstract: A multi-piece solid golf ball has a core, at least one intermediate layer and an outer layer. The core is formed of a single layer or of two or more layers. The interior hardness profile of the core is set in a specific range, and the relationship between the compressive deformations of the core and the golf ball under given loadings is set in a specific range. The outer layer is formed primarily of a thermoplastic polyurethane material, and has a material hardness that is set in a specific range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: BRIDGESTONE SPORTS CO., LTD
    Inventors: Ryota NAKAMURA, Akira KIMURA, Toru OGAWANA
  • Publication number: 20140187354
    Abstract: The present invention also relates to a crosslinked polyamide composition which is the reaction product of about 70 to about 99.5 wt % (based on the combined weight of Components A and B) of one or more polyamides and about 0.5 to about 30 wt % (based on the combined weight of Components A and B) of one or more crosslinking agents; and where the crosslinked polyamide composition has a flexural modulus of about 5 to about 500 kpsi, and a material Shore D hardness of about 25 to about 85. The present invention also relates to a golf ball having a core including a center, an outer cover layer, and one or more intermediate layers, where at least one or more of the core, outer cover layer or one or more intermediate layers includes the crosslinked polyamide composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Hyun J. Kim, Hong G. Jeon
  • Publication number: 20140187348
    Abstract: A golf ball having a core including a center, an outer cover layer and one or more intermediate layers, where at least one or more of the core, outer cover layer or one or more intermediate layers comprises a crosslinked polyurethane that is the reaction product of (i) a hydroxy-functionalized crosslinkable thermoplastic polyurethane have a NCO:OH ratio of less than 1, more preferably less than 0.95, and most preferably less than 0.9, and (ii) at least one crosslinking agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Hyun J. Kim, Hong G. Jeon
  • Patent number: 8764581
    Abstract: Embodiments provide systems and methods for manufacturing a multilayer golf ball having strong inter-layer bonding and desired structural characteristics, provided by including temporary, removable particles in a golf ball substrate and then removing the particles to form voids in the substrate, including the outer surface and interior of the substrate. Golf balls having the resulting strong inter-layer bonding and structural characteristics are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Yasushi Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 8758167
    Abstract: Multi-piece golf balls having at least one component made of a rubber composition comprising substantially oriented nanostructures are provided. For example, the nanostructures may be in the form of nanofibers, nanorods, nanotubes, and nanoparticles. The multi-piece golf ball contains a core, which may have a dual-core construction including a center and surrounding outer core layer or other multi-layered structure. Preferably at least one of the core layers is formed from a polybutadiene rubber composition comprising the nanostructures. The polybutadiene rubber may be chemically or non-chemically modified. The polybutadiene preferably has a cis-bond content of at least 80%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: William E. Morgan, Brian Comeau, Michael J. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 8734273
    Abstract: A golf ball 2 includes a core 4, a mid layer 6 positioned outside the core 4, a reinforcing layer 8 positioned outside the mid layer 6, and a cover 10 positioned outside the reinforcing layer 8. The difference between: a JIS-C hardness H(5.0) and a JIS-C hardness Ho at the central point is 6.0 or greater. The difference between: a JIS-C hardness H(12.5) and the hardness H(5.0) is 4.0 or less. The difference between a JIS-C hardness Hs at the surface of the core 4 and the hardness H(12.5) is 10.0 or greater. The difference between the hardness Hs and the hardness Ho is 22.0 or greater. In the golf ball 2, there is no zone in which a hardness decreases from the central point toward the surface. A hardness H2 of the mid layer 6 is greater than a hardness H3 of the cover 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: SRI Sports Limited
    Inventors: Kosuke Tachibana, Kazuhiko Isogawa
  • Patent number: 8716406
    Abstract: Multi-piece golf balls having at least one component made of a composition comprising a polymerized substituted imidazolium liquid ionomer are provided. The multi-piece golf ball contains a core, which may have a dual-core construction including a center and surrounding outer core layer or other multi-layered structure. Preferably at least one of the core layers is formed from a composition comprising a rubber material or highly neutralized acid copolymer (HNP) and the liquid ionomer. The resulting golf ball has high resiliency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Acushnet company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Mark L. Binette
  • Publication number: 20140113745
    Abstract: Multi-layered golf balls containing a dual-core structure are provided. The core structure includes an inner core (center) comprising a foam composition, preferably foamed polyurethane. The outer core layer is preferably formed from a non-foamed composition selected from thermoset compositions and thermoplastic compositions. The core layers have different hardness and specific gravity levels. The specific gravity (density) of the foam inner core is preferably less than the density of the outer core layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, David A. Bulpett, Robert Blink, Mark L. Binette, Brian Comeau
  • Patent number: 8690714
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a golf ball material producing a high spin rate on approach shots and a low spin rate on driver shots and a golf ball using the same. The present invention provides a golf ball material having a ratio [Shore D/log(bending stiffness)] of Shore D hardness to a logarithm of bending stiffness (kgf/cm2) of 19.0 or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: SRI Sports Limited
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Shiga, Toshiyuki Tarao, Keiji Ohama
  • Patent number: 8684866
    Abstract: Golf balls golf balls containing a core having at least two layers made from a polyalkenamer rubber composition are provided. At least one layer is made from a relatively low modulus polyalkenamer rubber composition and at least one layer is made from a relatively high modulus polyalkenamer rubber composition. The rubber composition may further include other rubbers such as, for example, polybutadiene, polyisoprene, ethylene propylene rubber, ethylene propylene diene rubber, and styrene-butadiene rubber. The rubber composition helps improve resiliency of the core. In one version, a dual-core having an inner core and surrounding outer core layer is provided. In another version, the golf ball contains a three-piece core having an intermediate core layer made of polybutadiene rubber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Brian Comeau, Mark L. Binette, David A. Bulpett, Douglas S. Goguen, Robert Blink
  • Publication number: 20140080635
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are heterogeneous golf ball compositions comprising a matrix formed from a thermosetting polymer composition and discrete particles dispersed within the matrix.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Robert Blink, David A. Bulpett, Brian Comeau
  • Publication number: 20140080636
    Abstract: The invention relates to golf ball formulations formed from blends of linear and branched polybutadienes catalyzed with neodymium that have improved properties and processing characteristics. Golf ball components may be formed from the blends to provide high coefficient of restitution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Brian Corneau, David A. Bulpett, Derek A. Ladd
  • Patent number: 8674051
    Abstract: Golf equipment having improved cut and shear resistance that includes a polyurea composition, preferably saturated and/or water resistant, formed of a polyurea prepolymer and a curing agent, wherein the polyurea prepolymer includes an isocyanate and an amine-terminated compound, and wherein the curing agent includes a hydroxy-terminated curing agent, amine-terminated curing agent, or a mixture thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Shenshen Wu, David A. Bulpett, Murali Rajagopalan
  • Publication number: 20140073454
    Abstract: The invention provides a method of manufacturing golf balls having covers of very high transparency, which method includes, prior to formation of the cover, a preformed body fabricating step wherein a temperature-responsive pigment that responds to a change in temperature by developing a color is included in or coated onto the preformed body. In this way, a preformed body that matches the cover to be formed can be easily and reliably identified from among a plurality of types of preformed bodies stored at a temporary storage place. The invention also provides golf balls having a construction suitable for carrying out such a manufacturing method. The invention enables golf balls of excellent visibility and stylishness to be efficiently produced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: BRIDGESTONE SPORTS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Toshiro Wachi
  • Publication number: 20140073461
    Abstract: The invention provides a golf ball endowed with an improved distance and durability. The ball has a core and a cover, the core being formed of a rubber composition containing a base rubber, a co-crosslinking agent, a crosslinking initiator, a metal oxide and an organosulfur compound. The co-crosslinking agent is methacrylic acid, the metal oxide is zinc oxide, and the rubber composition contains the crosslinking initiator in an amount of from 1.2 to 5 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the base rubber. The finished ball has an initial velocity of at least 74.3 m/s.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: BRIDGESTONE SPORTS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuichiro OZAWA, Daisuke ARAI, Hiroshi HIGUCHI, Takashi OHIRA, Katsunori SATO
  • Publication number: 20140073453
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are heterogeneous golf ball compositions comprising a thermosetting polymer matrix and discrete particles of thermoplastic polymer dispersed within the matrix.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Inventors: David A. Bulpett, Michael J. Sullivan, Mark L. Binette, Brian Comeau, Robert Blink
  • Publication number: 20140066228
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are heterogeneous golf ball compositions comprising a thermoplastic polymer matrix and discrete particles of thermoplastic polymer dispersed within the matrix.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Inventors: David A. Bulpett, Michael J. Sullivan, Mark L. Binette, Brian Comeau, Robert Blink
  • Patent number: 8663031
    Abstract: A golf ball 2 includes a core 4, a mid layer 6, and a cover 8. The difference between: a hardness H(5.0) at a point located at a distance of 5 mm from the central point of the core 4; and a hardness Ho at the central point is 6.0 or greater. The difference between: a hardness H(12.5) at a point located at a distance of 12.5 mm from the central point; and the hardness H(5.0) is 4.0 or less. The difference between a hardness Hs at the surface of the core 4 and the hardness H(12.5) is 10.0 or greater. The difference between the hardness Hs and the hardness Ho is 22.0 or greater. In the core 4, there is no zone in which a hardness decreases from the central point to the surface. A hardness H3 of the cover 8 is greater than a hardness H2 of the mid layer 6. The cover 8 is formed from a resin composition containing a polyamide copolymer including a polymerized fatty acid (a-1), sebacic acid and/or azelaic acid (a-2), and a polyamine component (a-3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: SRI Sports Limited
    Inventors: Satoko Okabe, Kazuhiko Isogawa, Hirotaka Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8657704
    Abstract: Golf ball wherein, at all points Pa included in zone “A” away from the central point of its core at a distance of ?1 mm and <5 mm, this mathematical expression is satisfied: Ha2?Ha1<5, wherein Ha1 and Ha2 each represents hardness at a point located respectively inside a point Pa and outside the point Pa. Also, at any point Pb included in zone “B” away from the central point of its core at a distance of ?5 mm and ?10 mm, this mathematical expression is satisfied: Hb2?Hb1?5, wherein Hb1 and Hb2 each represents hardness at a point located respectively inside a point Pb and outside the point Pb. This hardness distribution provides a golf ball with reduced energy loss when hit with a driver, and with excellent control performance when hit with a short iron.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: SRI Sports Limited
    Inventors: Keiji Ohama, Yoshiko Matsuyama, Toshiyuki Tarao, Kazuyoshi Shiga, Hirotaka Nakamura, Takahiro Sajima
  • Patent number: 8651976
    Abstract: A golf ball comprising a core comprising an inner core center and an outer core layer disposed over the inner core center. The inner core center has a deflection of greater than 0.210 inch under a load of 100 kilograms, and the entire the core has a deflection ranging from 0.130 inch to 0.105 inch under a load of 100 kilograms. A mantle layer is disposed over the core and a cover is disposed over the mantle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventors: Steven S. Ogg, David M. Bartels
  • Publication number: 20140045623
    Abstract: A golf ball is provided that has a cover layer with an increased hardness. The golf ball may have an inner core made from a highly neutralized polymer. The golf ball may have a four-piece construction, including an inner core, an outer core, a mantle layer, and the cover layer. The cover layer may be made of a thermoplastic polyurethane. The thermoplastic polyurethane cover layer may be formed of a material having a plaque hardness of at least about 44 Shore D. For example, the cover layer may be formed of a material having a plaque hardness of from about 44 to about 50 Shore D, or about 46 Shore D in particular.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur Molinari, Nicholas Yontz, Chien-Hsin Chou, Chen-Tai Liu
  • Publication number: 20140045620
    Abstract: A high performance golf ball includes a resin inner core, a rubber outer core, and a cover. The resin inner core is made of a blend of highly neutralized polymers and a low flexural modulus ionomer, and may include a blend of different highly neutralized polymers. The inner core has a specified range of coefficients of restitution when measured at different velocities. The cover is a single layer ionomer cover, and may be made from a blend of different grades of the ionomer. The ball as a whole has properties to maximize performance and aesthetic properties, such as backspin off the irons, feel, and sound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur Molinari, Chien-Hsin Chou, Chen-Tai Liu
  • Patent number: 8628435
    Abstract: Golf balls containing a core comprising a blend of: a) about 1 to about 49 weight percent of a polybutadiene rubber having a relatively high Mooney viscosity, and b) about 51 to about 99 weight percent of a polyalkenamer rubber having a relatively low Mooney viscosity are provided. Single or multi-layered cores may be prepared. In addition, the golf ball includes a cover that may be single or multi-layered. The cover is preferably made of polyurethanes, polyureas, or blends thereof. The polyalkenamer/polybutadiene rubber composition helps provide the ball with high resiliency along with a soft feel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Mark L. Binette, Douglas S. Goguen, Brian Comeau, Robert Blink, David A. Bulpett
  • Patent number: 8629228
    Abstract: Certain disclosed embodiments of the present invention concern a golf ball, including a core having a center, an outer cover layer, and optionally one or more intermediate layers, where at least one or more of the core, outer cover layer, or one or more intermediate layers if present, includes an isobutylene maleic anhydride copolymer having the general formula where n is greater than 10 and having a weight average molecular weight Mw of greater than about 2,000. The present invention also relates to golf ball including a core having a center, an outer cover layer; and optionally one or more intermediate layers, where at least one or more of the core, outer cover layer, or one or more intermediate layers if present, includes an isobutylene maleic anhydride ionomer formed by hydrolysis and neutralization of the isobutylene maleic anhydride copolymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Hyun J. Kim, Hong G. Jeon
  • Publication number: 20130344992
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are heterogeneous golf ball compositions comprising a thermoplastic matrix and discrete particles of crosslinked polymer dispersed within the matrix.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Inventors: David A. Bulpett, Michael J. Sullivan, Mark L. Binette, Brian Comeau, Robert Blink
  • Publication number: 20130344991
    Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions for golf equipment that can be applied as a thin paint layer to block oxygen and moisture from underlying structural layers. The compositions include a polymer component present in a resin system, a stabilizing component, and porous particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Derek A. Ladd, Nicholas M. Nardacci, Edmund A. Hebert
  • Publication number: 20130344993
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are heterogeneous golf ball compositions comprising a thermoplastic matrix and discrete particles of crosslinked polymer dispersed within the matrix.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: David A. Bulpett, Brian Comeau, Michael J. Sullivan, Mark L. Binette, Robert Blink
  • Publication number: 20130344994
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are heterogeneous golf ball compositions comprising discrete particles of crosslinked rubber dispersed within an acid copolymer-based matrix.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, David A. Bulpett, Mark L. Binette, Brian Comeau, Robert Blink
  • Publication number: 20130324324
    Abstract: A recyclable golf ball is disclosed. The structure of the disclosed golf ball and/or the materials used to make the golf ball may enhance the ability to recycle the golf ball. As a result, the disclosed golf ball may decrease waste and the costs associated with acquiring and/or processing new materials. The golf ball may be made of materials that make it easier to separate the materials in a used golf ball for recycling. The golf ball may be made of materials having different densities. The golf ball may be made of materials having different melting points. The golf ball may be made of materials mixed with a magnetic additive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Hideyuki Ishii, Takahisa Ono, Hsin Cheng, Bradley C. Tutmark, Yasushi Ichikawa, Aaron Bender, Nicholas Yontz
  • Publication number: 20130324322
    Abstract: A golf ball includes a lattice reinforced layer, which is a layer made of at least two materials with different properties. The materials are interlocked with each other, where one material forms a grid with pores while the other material protrudes through the pores. In some embodiments, the lattice reinforced layer is manufactured using a shutoff molding technique so that the entire lattice reinforced layer is molded in the same mold. The lattice layer is provided to alter the properties of a layer, such as increasing the durability, toughness, or strength of the layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Kennedy, III
  • Publication number: 20130324325
    Abstract: A golf ball with interlocking layers is disclosed. The interlocking layers are generally provided to inhibit slippage of the adjacent layers, particularly between incompatible materials that are difficult to adhere together. Thus, the interlocking layers inhibit the development of dead spots within the ball, which occurs when the layers delaminate. A method of making a golf ball with interlocking layers using a dual molding process is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Kerby LaVar Maxwell
  • Publication number: 20130324311
    Abstract: The invention provides a rubber composition having high rebound resilience measured by a rebound resilience evaluation method which is excellent in measurement accuracy and can sufficiently evaluate the difference in performance between samples. The invention also provides a golf ball formed from the rubber composition. The invention further provides a golf ball having excellent flight performance owing to good hardness distribution measured by a hardness evaluation method which is excellent in measurement accuracy and can sufficiently evaluate the difference in performance between samples. The invention relates to a rubber composition having a specific radius of gyration Rg obtained by a predetermined curve fitting method. The invention also relates to a golf ball including a spherical core having at least one layer, and a cover having at least one layer disposed to cover the spherical core, wherein the golf ball satisfies a predetermined relation obtained by a predetermined curve fitting method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: DUNLOP SPORTS CO. LTD.
    Inventors: Ryou MASHITA, Hiroyuki KISHIMOTO
  • Publication number: 20130324310
    Abstract: A ball having enhanced visibility to video camera- or radar-based launch monitoring and/or tracking systems includes a core, an intermediate layer, a cover or outer surface having a reflective material incorporated therein or applied thereto. The reflective material may be retro-reflective crystals, reflective metal, a conductive polymer, or a reflective coating. The reflective material may be added to an ink used to print indicia on the ball, or incorporated into a paint or other coating applied to the ball. The reflective material may be applied during manufacture of a ball, or existing balls may be retrofitted to contain a reflective material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas A. Leech, Nicholas Yontz
  • Publication number: 20130316849
    Abstract: A method and golf ball incorporating a surface penetrating color composition comprising a colorant (e.g. dyes, tints, color effects, etc.) in a portion (surface or region) of a golf ball component or coating (substrate). The substrate is formed from a homogenous composition having a color C1 which may comprise any color within the spectrum of visible light, or be clear colorless, and alternatively, may also be opaque, translucent, or clear colored, for example. An outer surface of the substrate is treated with or otherwise exposed to a surface penetrating color composition having a C2 that is different than C1 in some respect such as hue, chroma, saturation and/or opacity. The surface penetrating color composition penetrates the golf ball substrate surface to a target depth and becomes embedded within the surface, thereby forming a surface penetrating color composition-treated component or coating having a treated region and an untreated region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Nathan Zieske, Manjari Kuntimaddi, Matthew F. Hogge, Michael J. Sullivan, Mark L. Binette, Brian Comeau
  • Patent number: 8592526
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an environmentally safe golf ball having excellent resilience. The present invention provides a golf ball having constituting members, wherein at least a part of the constituting members is formed from a rubber composition containing (a) a base rubber, (b) a co-crosslinking agent, (c) a crosslinking initiator, and (d) an organic sulfur compound, wherein the organic sulfur compound includes a disubstituted compound of thiophenol, disulfide and/or thiophenol metal salt with Br, F or CF3 only at ortho positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: SRI Sports Limited
    Inventors: Kazuhisa Fushihara, Yumi Kanemitsu, Mikio Yamada
  • Publication number: 20130310195
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a method of producing a golf ball, which may include creating a core of the golf ball, creating an outer cover of the golf ball around the core of the golf ball and applying a coating material to the golf ball. Further, creating the outer cover of the golf ball around the core of the golf ball, may include creating one or more gates, or flash, attached to the outer cover of the golf ball, wherein the one or more gates, or at least a portion of the flash, remain attached to the outer cover of the golf ball while the coating material is applied to the golf ball.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: NIKE INC.
    Inventor: Arthur MOLINARI
  • Publication number: 20130310198
    Abstract: A golf ball includes a unitary core having an outer surface, a geometric center, and a soft transition region adjacent to the outer surface, and is formed from a substantially homogenous composition. The ball further includes an outer cover layer. The soft transition region has a thickness of up to 4 mm, has about 8 to 20 percent trans-polybutadiene isomer, and has a negative hardness gradient of up to 15 Shore C. The core has an overall negative hardness gradient of up to 20 Shore C and has a gradient quotient, GQ, defined by the equation: G + T 10 × COR ? 7 where G is the overall negative hardness gradient in Shore C, T is the percent of trans-polybutadiene isomer at the core outer surface, and COR is the coefficient of restitution measured at an incoming velocity of 125 ft/s.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Brian Comeau, Mark L. Binette
  • Patent number: 8586678
    Abstract: The invention relates to golf ball formulations formed from blends of linear and branched polybutadienes catalyzed with neodymium that have improved properties and processing characteristics. Golf ball components may be formed from the blends to provide high coefficient of restitution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Brian Comeau, David A. Bulpett, Derek A. Ladd
  • Publication number: 20130303310
    Abstract: A golf ball includes a unitary core having an outer surface, a geometric center, and a soft transition region adjacent to the outer surface. The core is formed from a substantially homogenous rubber composition. The golf ball also includes an inner cover layer and an outer cover layer. The soft transition region has a thickness of up to 4 mm and a negative hardness gradient of up to 15 Shore C. The unitary core has an overall negative hardness gradient of up to 20 Shore C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Brian Comeau, Douglas S. Goguen, Mark L. Binette
  • Publication number: 20130303309
    Abstract: Golf ball with a novel combination of spin rate, lift coefficient, drag coefficients, and optionally moment of intertia: a golf ball with a low spin rate, a high lift coefficient, a low drag coefficient, and optionally a high moment of inertia; and a golf ball with a high spin rate, a low lift coefficient, a low drag coefficient, and optionally a low moment of inertia.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Derek A. Ladd, Edmund A. Hebert, Laurent Bissonnette
  • Publication number: 20130296076
    Abstract: The invention provides a golf ball having a core and a cover of at least one layer. The core has a cross-sectional hardness which, letting R (mm) be the radius of the core, A be the JIS-C hardness at a center of the core, B be the JIS-C hardness at a position R/3 mm from the core center, C be the JIS-C hardness at a position R/1.8 mm from the core center, D be the JIS-C hardness at a position R/1.5 mm from the core center, and E be the JIS-C hardness at a surface of the core, satisfies the formulas (1) B?A<D?B, (2) C?A?8, and (3) E?B?15.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2012
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: BRIDGESTONE SPORTS CO., LTD
    Inventors: Akira KIMURA, Toru OGAWANA, Ryota NAKAMURA
  • Publication number: 20130296074
    Abstract: The invention provides a golf ball having a core and a cover of at least one layer. The core is formed of a rubber composition which includes a polybutadiene-containing base rubber, an unsaturated carboxylic acid and/or a metal salt thereof, an organic peroxide and sulfur, and for which the value of [sulfur (mol)÷available active oxygen content in organic peroxide] is at least 0.01 and not more than 0.019.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2012
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: BRIDGESTONE SPORTS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuichiro OZAWA, Kazufumi TABATA, Tsuyoshi NAKAJIMA, Takashi OHIRA, Hiroshi HIGUCHI
  • Publication number: 20130296073
    Abstract: The invention provides a golf ball having a core and a cover of at least one layer. The core has a cross-sectional hardness which, letting D (mm) be the radius of the core, O be the JIS-C hardness at a center of the core, P be the JIS-C hardness at a position 25% of D from the core center, Q be the JIS-C hardness at a position 55% of D mm from the core center, and T be the JIS-C hardness at a position 85% of D from the core center, satisfies the formulas (1) P?O?4, (2) Q?O?5, and (3) T?Q?10.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2012
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: BRIDGESTONE SPORTS CO., LTD
    Inventors: Ryota NAKAMURA, Akira KIMURA, Toru OGAWANA
  • Publication number: 20130296072
    Abstract: The invention provides a golf ball having a core and a cover of at least one layer. The core has a cross-sectional hardness which, letting (H?14) be a JIS-C hardness at a position 14 mm in from a surface toward a center of the core, (H?8) be a JIS-C hardness at a position 8 mm in from the surface toward the center of the core, (H?6) be a JIS-C hardness at a position 6 mm in from the surface toward the center of the core, and (H?4) be a JIS-C hardness at a position 4 mm in from the surface toward the center of the core, satisfies the formulas (1) H?14<70, (2) H?8<72, (3) H?6<75, and (3) H?4?H?8>8.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2012
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: BRIDGESTONE SPORTS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi NAKAJIMA, Kazufumi TABATA, Yuichiro OZAWA, Takashi OHIRA, Hiroshi HIGUCHI
  • Patent number: 8575278
    Abstract: Certain disclosed embodiments of the present invention concern a golf ball including a core having a center, an outer cover layer, and optionally one or more intermediate layers. At least one or more of the core, outer cover layer or one or more intermediate layers includes a sulfonated polyisoprene ionomer having the general formula: where A is an isoprene repeating unit having the formula —(CH2—C(CH3)?CH—CH2)—, B is an isoprene repeating unit or other monomer repeating unit, m is greater than 10, and n is greater than 2, and X is selected from one or both of the following groups; i) Li+, Na+, K+, Zn2+, Ca2+, Co2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, Pb2+, and Mg2+ or ii) an ammonium cation having the general formula [NR1R2R3R4]+. R1, R2, R3 and R4 are selected from one or both of the following hydrogen, a C1-C20 aliphatic, cycloaliphatic or aromatic moiety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Hyun J. Kim, Hong G. Jeon
  • Publication number: 20130288825
    Abstract: A golf ball having a golf ball core, one or more intermediate layers and a cover layer is disclosed. The golf ball core may include an inner core having radial appendages. The radial appendages may protrude from the inner core in a spherically symmetrical pattern. The radial appendages may be formed from the same material as the inner core. The one or more intermediate layers may surround the inner core and fill the voids between the radial appendages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2012
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Aaron Bender, Kerby LaVar Maxwell
  • Publication number: 20130281232
    Abstract: A method of making a ball, comprising: forming an inner core having a diameter of about 0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventors: William E. Morgan, Herbert C. Boehm, Michael McNamara, Diomar Correia, Donald A. Serino
  • Patent number: 8563639
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a golf ball which is excellent in the gloss and the evenness of the paint film and a golf ball aqueous paint therefor. The golf ball of the present invention has a paint film which is formed from a curing type polyurethane aqueous golf ball paint, comprising (A) an aqueous polyol composition and (B) an aqueous polyisocyanate, wherein (A) the aqueous polyol composition contains (a-1) an aqueous acrylic polyol, (a-2) an aqueous urethane polyol and (a-3) an aqueous polyurethane resin; a molar ratio (NCO/OH) of an isocyanate group of (B) the aqueous polyisocyanate to a hydroxyl group of (A) the aqueous polyol composition ranges from 1.25 to 2.50; and a content of a high boiling point solvent having a boiling point of 150° C. or more in the aqueous golf ball paint is more than 0 mass % and 10 mass % or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignees: SRI Sports Limited, Shinto Paint Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Tarao, Kuniyasu Horiuchi, Hirokazu Okamoto, Masahiko Shiraishi
  • Publication number: 20130274032
    Abstract: The invention provides, in a golf ball having a core, an intermediate layer and a cover, a golf ball which combines an intermediate layer formed of an ionomer resin material having a high degree of neutralization with a cover formed of a material that includes a first ionomer resin having a high unsaturated carboxylic acid content and a second ionomer resin having a low unsaturated carboxylic acid content. The golf ball is able to achieve a lower spin rate on full shots with a driver (W#1) without reducing the spin performance on approach shots in the short game, provides high levels of both flight performance and controllability, and also has a good feel at impact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: BRIDGESTONE SPORTS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Atsuki KASASHIMA, Kazunori NAKAJIMA