Diverse Cover And Interior Patents (Class 473/377)
  • Patent number: 11603469
    Abstract: The present invention relates, in one aspect, to a thermosetting resin composition including an epoxy resin, an isocyanate resin, a polyrotaxane resin, and a curing agent, wherein the isocyanate resin includes a hexamethylene skeleton and at least one selected from a biuret skeleton, an isocyanurate skeleton, an allophanate skeleton, a neopentyl skeleton, a butylene skeleton, and a dicarboxyl skeleton in a structure thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takatoshi Abe, Tomoaki Sawada
  • Patent number: 11154753
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a golf ball having excellent approach spin performance under a dry condition and excellent approach spin performance under a condition that there is grass between the golf ball and the club face. The present invention provides a golf ball comprising a golf ball body and a paint film formed on a surface of the golf ball body, wherein the paint film is composed of at least one layer, and an outermost paint film layer located at the outermost layer of the golf ball contains, as a base resin, a polyurethane obtained by a reaction between (A) a polyisocyanate composition and (B) a polyol composition, and the outermost paint film layer has a dynamic friction coefficient of from 0.75 to 1.5 measured with a dynamic friction tester under specific conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Kuniyasu Horiuchi, Toshiyuki Tarao, Hidetaka Inoue
  • Patent number: 11110322
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a golf ball having excellent approach spin performance under a dry condition and excellent approach spin performance under a condition that there is grass between the golf ball and the club face. The present invention provides a golf ball comprising a golf ball body and a paint film formed on a surface of the golf ball body, wherein the paint film is composed of at least one layer, and an outermost paint film layer located at the outermost layer of the golf ball contains, as a base resin, a polyurethane obtained by a reaction between (A) a polyisocyanate composition and (B) a polyol composition, (B) the polyol composition contains a urethane polyol as a polyol component, and the outermost paint film layer has a dynamic friction coefficient of from 0.65 to 1.2 measured with a dynamic friction tester under specific conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Kuniyasu Horiuchi, Toshiyuki Tarao, Hidetaka Inoue
  • Patent number: 11052290
    Abstract: A golf ball has a plurality of minute projections 20 on a surface thereof. An average value Hav of heights H of these minute projections 20 is not less than 0.5 ?m and not greater than 50 ?m. The surface of the golf ball has one or more first zones and one or more second zones. An average value Hav1 of the heights H of the minute projections 20 on these first zones is higher than an average value Hav2 of the heights H of the minute projections 20 on these second zones. Preferably, the average value Hav1 and the average value Hav2 satisfy the following mathematical formula.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Takahiro Sajima, Toshiyuki Takubo
  • Patent number: 10881913
    Abstract: A golf ball has a large number of exposed portions 22 on a surface thereof. An average value Hav of heights H of these exposed portions 22 is not less than 0.5 ?m and not greater than 50 ?m. The surface of the golf ball has one or more first zones and one or more second zones. An average value Hav1 of the heights H of the exposed portions 22 on these first zones is higher than an average value Hav2 of the heights H of the exposed portions 22 on these second zones. Preferably, the average value Hav1 and the average value Hav2 satisfy the following mathematical formula.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Takubo, Takahiro Sajima
  • Patent number: 10874906
    Abstract: A golf ball has a plurality of dimples 12 and a land 14 on a surface thereof. The golf ball further has a large number of minute projections 18 formed on surfaces of the dimples 12 and the land 14. An average depth Fav of the dimples 12 and an average height Hav of the minute projections satisfy the following mathematical formula (1). Hav/Fav?0.050??(1) A ratio M (%) of a sum of areas of all the dimples 12 relative to a surface area of a phantom sphere of the golf ball and an average value Pav (?m) of pitches P each between a minute projection 18 and another minute projection 18 adjacent to this minute projection 18 satisfy the following mathematical formula (2). M/Pav>0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Takahiro Sajima
  • Patent number: 10864409
    Abstract: A golf ball has a plurality of dimples 12 and a land 14 on a surface thereof. The golf ball further has a large number of minute projections 18 formed on surfaces of the dimples 12 and the land 14. The surface of the golf ball has an arithmetic average height Sa of not less than 0.5 ?m and not greater than 30 ?m. An average value Hav of heights H of the minute projections 18 is not less than 0.5 ?m and not greater than 50 ?m. A ratio Pp of a sum of areas of all the minute projections 18 to a surface area of a phantom sphere of the golf ball is not less than 7%. An average value Dav of diameters D of the minute projections 18 is not less than 5 ?m and not greater than 50 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Takahiro Sajima, Hironori Takihara, Toshiyuki Takubo
  • Patent number: 10632345
    Abstract: A golf ball includes a spherical core and a cover positioned outside the core. The core has an inner layer and an outer layer positioned outside the inner layer. The inner layer is obtained by crosslinking a rubber composition. The rubber composition of the inner layer includes a butyl-based rubber as a base rubber. The inner layer has a diameter Di of not less than 10 mm and not greater than 34 mm. A difference (H2?H0) between a Shore C hardness H2 at a surface of the outer layer and a Shore C hardness H0 at a central point of the inner layer is less than 35. Preferably, the butyl-based rubber is a polymer including an isobutylene unit and an isoprene unit, and a derivative thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Hidetaka Inoue, Kazuya Kamino
  • Patent number: 10561903
    Abstract: In a golf ball having a core of at least one layer and a cover of at least one layer, an outermost layer of the cover is formed of an ionomer resin composition which includes specific amounts of (a) an olefin-?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid copolymer and/or a metal ion neutralization product thereof, or an olefin-?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid-?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid ester copolymer and/or a metal ion neutralization product thereof, (b) an oxazoline group-containing polymer, (c) an inorganic filler, and (d) a colorant which includes a fluorescent dye or a fluorescent pigment. This golf ball has a translucent appearance that holds down transparency of the ball surface to a suitable level and undergoes relatively little change in color when fading occurs due to sunlight exposure, and is thus both weather resistant and decorative.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Atsushi Nanba
  • Patent number: 10526473
    Abstract: A curable liquid rubber composition having improved viscosity stability is provided. The curable liquid rubber composition includes at least one functionalized crosslinkable polymer that is liquid at 25° C., contains at least one diene monomer in polymerized form, and is functionalized with one or more anhydride functional groups, one or more hydroxyl functional groups or one or more (meth)acrylate functional groups; at least one non-functionalized crosslinkable polymer that is liquid at 25° C., contains at least one diene monomer in polymerized form, and is not functionalized with anhydride, hydroxyl or (meth)acrylate functional groups; at least one metallic monomer coagent which is a metal carboxylate salt containing at least one (meth)acrylate functional group; and at least one inorganic filler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: FINA TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventor: Olivier Defrain
  • Patent number: 10525309
    Abstract: Golf balls having a multi-layered core made of a foamed composition are provided. The core assembly preferably includes a foam inner core (center) and surrounding outer core layer. Preferably, a polyurethane foam composition is used to form the foam center. The core layers have different hardness gradients and specific gravity values. The foamed inner core assembly includes a geometric center, outer surface (skin), and thermal barrier layer that helps protect the foamed center region from the negative effects of high temperatures used during the ball-manufacturing process. Non-foamed thermoset materials such as polybutadiene rubber may be used to form the thermal barrier layer. The foam cores have good resiliency, thermal stability, and durability over a wide temperature range. The ball further includes a cover that may be multi-layered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Mark L. Binette, Douglas S. Goguen, Brian Comeau, Michael Michalewich, Shawn Ricci, John D. Farrell
  • Patent number: 10456630
    Abstract: The use of a low molecular weight farnesene, poly(farnesene), and farnesene copolymer in a golf ball is disclosed herein. In a core, low molecular weight farnesene, poly(farnesene) or farnesene copolymer is blended with 1,4 polybutadiene or a polyalkenamer. In a mantle layer, low molecular weight farnesene, poly(farnesene), and/or farnesene copolymer can be blended with non- or partially neutralized copolymeric or terpolymeric ionomer(s). In a cover, low molecular weight farnesene, poly(farnesene), and farnesene copolymer can be blended with highly neutralized ionomer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventor: Hong G. Jeon
  • Patent number: 10335641
    Abstract: The invention provides a golf ball having a core and a cover of one or more layer encasing the core, wherein, letting HU-A and HU-B be respectively the Martens hardnesses measured at positions 100 ?m and 200 ?m inward from a surface of an outermost layer of the cover and toward a center of the core, and letting HU-C be the Martens hardness measured at a position 100 ?m from an inner side of the outermost cover layer and toward the surface, HU-A or HU-B is harder than HU-C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsunobu Mochizuki, Hiroyuki Nagasawa
  • Patent number: 10213653
    Abstract: A golf ball with an aerodynamic design is disclosed herein. The aerodynamic design has a protrusion at a center of a hex geometry representing an increase in ball radius greater than 0.0005 inches from a minimum ball radius. The minimum ball radius is located between 0.01 and 0.04 inch (11%-46%) from the center of the hex geometry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventors: Grady C. Crahan, Craig Schnell
  • Patent number: 10195494
    Abstract: A golf ball according to the present invention includes a spherical core, a cover member including at least one layer that covers the core, and at least one coating layer that covers the cover member constituting an outermost layer. A plurality of dimples are formed in the cover member constituting the outermost layer. Roughness is formed on the surface of the coating layer. A maximum height Rz and an arithmetic average roughness Ra of the surface of the coating layer satisfy a relationship Rz?Ra×6.0. The coating layer contains a lustrous material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshiko Matsuyama, Takahiro Sajima, Kohei Mimura
  • Patent number: 10046208
    Abstract: The invention provides a golf ball having a core and a cover of one or more layer encasing the core, wherein, letting HU-A and HU-B be respectively the Martens hardnesses measured at positions 100 ?m and 200 ?m inward from a surface of an outermost layer of the cover and toward a center of the core, and letting HU-C be the Martens hardness measured at a position 100 ?m from an inner side of the outermost cover layer and toward the surface, HU-A or HU-B is harder than HU-C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsunobu Mochizuki, Hiroyuki Nagasawa
  • Patent number: 10010760
    Abstract: A golf ball with an aerodynamic design is disclosed herein. The aerodynamic design has a protrusion at a center of a hex geometry representing an increase in ball radius greater than 0.0005 inches from a minimum ball radius. The minimum ball radius is located between 0.01 and 0.04 inch (11%-46%) from the center of the hex geometry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventors: Grady C. Crahan, Craig Schnell
  • Patent number: 9849344
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a golf ball traveling a great flight distance. The present invention provides a golf ball comprising a spherical core and a cover covering the spherical core, wherein the golf ball has a ratio (t2/t1) of a time (t2) to a time (t1) of 1.05 or more in a hitting test using a driver (at a head speed of 40 m/sec), wherein the time (t1) is a time taken from a moment that the driver begins to contact with the golf ball to a moment that the golf ball reaches a maximum deformation amount, and the time (t2) is a time taken from the moment that the golf ball reaches the maximum deformation amount to a moment that the golf ball leaves the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: DUNLOP SPORTS CO. LTD.
    Inventors: Ryota Sakamine, Kazuyoshi Shiga, Hikaru Nagakura, Takahiro Shigemitsu
  • Patent number: 9649537
    Abstract: The invention provides a solid golf ball which has a core of at least one layer and a cover of at least one layer. At least one layer of the core is formed primarily of polybutadiene and includes at least 0.05 part by weight of a polyurethane resin powder having an average particle size of not more than 2 mm per 100 parts by weight of rubber component. At least one layer of the cover is formed primarily of polyurethane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hirotaka Shinohara
  • Patent number: 9604106
    Abstract: Multi-layered golf balls containing a two or three-layered cover assembly are provided. In one embodiment, the cover assembly includes a relatively hard inner cover and relatively soft outer cover. Alternatively, the cover assembly may include a relatively soft inner cover with a relatively hard outer cover. Three-layered covers comprising an inner cover, intermediate cover, and outer cover layer also may be prepared. Preferably, at least one of the layers is formed from a thermoplastic composition that preferably comprises: a) ethylene acid copolymer, b) plasticizer, and c) cation source. A fatty acid ester such as ethyl oleate is preferably used as the plasticizer. The cover assembly has good impact durability and helps provide the ball with relatively high resiliency at given compressions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Mark L. Binette, Robert Blink, David A. Bulpett, Brian Comeau, Douglas S. Goguen
  • Patent number: 9566474
    Abstract: A golf ball has a cover with a Shore D hardness of at least about 59 and a coating on the cover that has at least one of (a) a pencil hardness of 2 B or less, (b) a Sward hardness of about 40 or less, or (c) a Hit (Young's Modulus)<20 N/mm2 and hmax>0.55 micrometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas Yontz, Bradley C. Tutmark, Yasushi Ichikawa, Hideyuki Ishii, Thomas J. Kennedy, III
  • Patent number: 9511524
    Abstract: A golf ball comprises two generally hemispherical portions joined together at a parting line and comprising dimples on respective outer surfaces thereof. The parting line comprises a repeating pattern of curved segments alternating with straight segments. The parting line crosses a geometric equator of the golf ball, and wherein the parting line intersects at least one dimple bordering the equator. A mold for producing a golf ball is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Ryan L. Stefan
  • Patent number: 9457238
    Abstract: A golf ball may include an inner core layer and an outer cover layer disposed radially outward of the inner core layer. The outer cover layer may be formed of an outer cover layer material having one or more grooves extending radially inward from an outer surface of the outer cover layer. In addition, the golf ball may include a groove material disposed within the one or more grooves. The groove material may have a compressibility that is different from a compressibility of the outer cover layer material. Also, the outer surface of the groove material may be recessed below the outer surface of the outer cover layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Alan
  • Patent number: 9457237
    Abstract: A golf ball may include an inner core layer and an outer cover layer disposed radially outward of the inner core layer. The outer cover layer may be formed of an outer cover layer material having one or more grooves extending radially inward from an outer surface of the outer cover layer. In addition, the golf ball may include a groove material disposed within the one or more grooves. The groove material may have a compressibility that is different from a compressibility of the outer cover layer material. Also, the outer surface of the groove material may be substantially flush with the outer surface of the outer cover layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Alan
  • Patent number: 9421424
    Abstract: A golf ball includes a core and a cover surrounding the core. The cover includes a first hemispherical half and a second hemispherical half that define a seam line therebetween and along an outer surface of the cover. The seam line is non-planar and includes a repeating trapezoidal wave having a first portion disposed at a first latitude, a second portion disposed at a second latitude, and a linear ramping transition between the first portion and the second portion. The seam line further includes a first curvilinear wave superposed within the first portion of the trapezoidal wave, and a second curvilinear wave superposed within the second portion of the trapezoidal wave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Jun Ichinose
  • Patent number: 9320943
    Abstract: An ultra-low compression three-piece golf ball is disclosed herein. The core preferably has a PGA compression less than 30. The mantle layer and cover have approximately the same thickness. The cover comprises a thermoplastic polyurethane material and has a specific gravity greater than the core and mantle layer. The golf ball has a PGA compression less than 75 and a COR of at least 0.780.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventor: David Bartels
  • Patent number: 9259617
    Abstract: An object of the present is to provide a golf ball having a high spin rate on approach shots under the wet condition and rough condition. The present invention provides a golf ball comprising a golf ball body, and a paint film formed on a surface of the golf ball body, wherein the paint film has a martens hardness of 2.0 mgf/?m2 or less, and a ratio (50% modulus/10% modulus) of 50% modulus to 10% modulus of 1.6 or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: DUNLOP SPORTS CO. LTD.
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Tarao, Kazuhiko Isogawa, Kuniyasu Horiuchi, Hirokazu Okamoto, Masahiko Shiraishi
  • Patent number: 9254422
    Abstract: Multi-piece golf balls having a solid core and cover are provided. The ball contains an inner core made of a foam composition and surrounding outer core layer. Preferably, foamed polyurethane is used to form the inner core and polybutadiene rubber is used to make the outer core. The specific gravity (density) of the inner core is preferably less than the density of the outer core. The outer surface of the inner core preferably has a non-uniform structure and includes projecting members. The ball preferably has a high Moment of Inertia (MOI). The ball includes a single or multi-layered cover surrounding the core structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Mark L. Binette, Brian Comeau
  • Patent number: 9211442
    Abstract: A golf ball has a cover and a core which is made as a single piece or of two or more parts (for example an inner core covered by an outer core or mantle layer). The ball has non-spherical aspects in at least some parts and may also have different specific gravities in different parts of the ball. The different shaped ball parts combined with the different specific gravities of the materials for different ball parts results in a differential between the moments of inertia of the different spin axes. The golf ball is spherical, but the inner layers are not necessarily completely spherical or symmetrical layers or parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: AERO-X GOLF, INC.
    Inventors: David L. Felker, Douglas C. Winfield
  • Patent number: 9186556
    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: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Brian Comeau, Mark L. Binette
  • Patent number: 9180347
    Abstract: A golf ball comprising a single layer core formed from a substantially homogenous formulation and comprising a geometric center and an outer surface; a hardness of the outer surface is greater than a hardness of the geometric center. An inner core region is disposed about the geometric center and has a first hardness that is less than those of the geometric center and the outer surface; an outer core region is adjacent the outer surface and has a second hardness that is greater than those of the geometric center and the outer surface; and an intermediate core region is disposed between the inner and outer core regions and extends radially from about 5 mm to about 15.75 mm from the geometric center and has at least a third hardness and a fourth hardness, each of which are related to the first hardness and the second hardness in various ways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Brian Comeau, Douglas S. Goguen, David A. Bulpett
  • Patent number: 9149685
    Abstract: A golf ball having a soft outer surface coating having a hardness less than about HB on the ASTM D3363 scale, or less than about 40 on ASTM D2134 scale. The soft outer surface coating may contain polyurethane, a hydroxyl functional silicone material, or a hydroxyl functional fluoro material. Also, a method for making the golf ball. The golf ball having the soft outer surface coating exhibits a high spin rate over short shots essentially without degrading performance on driver shots, as compared with the performance of the uncoated golf ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Kennedy, III, Hideyuki Ishii, Yasushi Ichikawa, Arthur Molinari, Bradley C. Tutmark, Nicholas Yontz
  • Patent number: 9144713
    Abstract: A golf ball 2 includes a core 4, a mid layer 6, and a cover 8. The core 4 includes a center 10 and an envelope layer 12. The ratio of the volume Ve of the core 4 to the volume of a phantom sphere of the golf ball 2 is equal to greater than 76%. The ratio (Co/Ce) of an amount of compressive deformation Co of the center 10 to an amount of compressive deformation Ce of the core 4 is greater than 2.0 but less than 3.0. The ratio (Vo/Ve) of the volume Vo of the center 10 to the volume Ve of the core 4 is equal to or greater than 0.01 but equal to or less than 0.13.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: SRI SPORTS LIMITED
    Inventors: Takahiro Sajima, Yoshiko Matsuyama
  • Patent number: 9101799
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a golf ball having a high resilience with a high spin rate on the approach shots. The present invention provides a golf ball comprising a constituting member that is formed from a polyurethane composition containing a polyurethane elastomer as a resin component, the polyurethane composition satisfying properties of a rebound resilience of 54% or more and a shear loss modulus G? of 5.03×106 Pa or less when measured at the conditions of the temperature of 0° C., the oscillation frequency of 10 Hz, and in a shear mode using a dynamic viscoelasticity measuring apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: DUNLOP SPORTS CO. LTD.
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Tarao, Kazuyoshi Shiga
  • Patent number: 9067105
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a golf ball having a cover layer including a first cover layer portion having one hardness values and a second cover layer portion having a second hardness value. The disclosure further relates to methods of making such a golf ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Nicholas Yontz
  • Patent number: 9033824
    Abstract: A golf ball of the present invention includes: a core located in the center of the golf ball; a cover surrounding the outside of the core and having plural dimples on the surface thereof; and a paint layer surrounding the outside of the cover. The paint layer is formed of a material having rubber elasticity. When the golf ball has a ? hardness and the paint layer has a JIS-C hardness, a ratio Sp of the JIS-C hardness of the paint layer with respect to the ? hardness of the golf ball is at most approximately 15. When the cover has a Shore D hardness, a ratio Sc of the Shore D hardness of the cover with respect to the ? hardness of the golf ball may be at most approximately 25.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: BRIDGESTONE SPORTS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Atsushi Komatsu, Yuichiro Ozawa, Hiroshi Nasu
  • Patent number: 9022883
    Abstract: The invention provides a multi-piece solid golf ball having a solid core encased by a cover of one, two or more layers, which ball has specific hardness relationships among various areas on a core cross-section obtained by cutting the solid core in half. The golf ball has both a reduced spin rate and a good initial velocity on shots, particularly when struck in a high head-speed range, and thus is able to achieve an increased distance. A good feel on impact can also be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Junji Umezawa, Hiroshi Higuchi
  • Publication number: 20150119169
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are multilayer golf balls having a layer with a higher hardness and a lower flexural modulus than another layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Mark L. Binette, Robert Blink, David A. Bulpett, Brian Comeau
  • Patent number: 9018295
    Abstract: Golf balls that have at least one layer formed from a cationic polyurea material. In particular, the compositions of the invention, which include a polymer backbone including urea linkages with cationic groups, may be formed from an isocyanate-containing component and an isocyanate-reactive component, at least one of which includes precursor cationic groups, in the presence of an alkylating, quaternizing, or ternarizing agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Murali Rajagopalan, Shawn Ricci, Michael J. Sullivan, Kevin M. Harris, Pamela V. Arnold
  • Patent number: 9018294
    Abstract: Golf balls that have at least one layer formed from a cationic polyurea material. In particular, the compositions of the invention, which include a polymer backbone including urea linkages with cationic groups, may be formed from an isocyanate-containing component and an isocyanate-reactive component, at least one of which includes precursor cationic groups, in the presence of an alkylating, quaternizing, or ternarizing agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Murali Rajagopalan, Shawn Ricci, Michael J. Sullivan, Kevin M. Harris, Pamela V. Arnold
  • Patent number: 9011272
    Abstract: Golf ball 2 has spherical core 4, cover 6 situated on the external side of the core 4, and paint layer 8 situated on the external side of the cover 6. The cover 6 has a Shore D hardness of no greater than 61. The paint layer 8 has a Martens hardness of no greater than 2.0 mgf/?m2. The base polymer of the paint layer 8 is a polyurethane obtained by a reaction of a polyol with a polyisocyanate. The polyisocyanate contains a buret-modified form of hexamethylene diisocyanate. The cover 6 has a thickness of 0.3 mm or greater and 1.0 mm or less. The paint layer 8 has a thickness of 5 ?m or greater and 40 ?m or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Dunlop Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Isogawa, Keiji Ohama, Yoshiko Matsuyama, Seiichiro Endo
  • Patent number: 9006344
    Abstract: Multi-piece golf balls having a core made of a composition comprising a polybutadiene rubber blend are provided. The blend includes a non-metallocene catalyzed polybutadiene rubber and a metallocene-catalyzed polybutadiene rubber. Catalysts such as neodymium, nickel, and cobalt based catalysts may be used to make the non-metallocene catalyzed rubber. Catalysts such as ferrocene, cobaltocene, nickelocene, titanocene dichloride, zirconocene dichloride, and samraocene based catalysts may be used to make the metallocene-catalyzed rubber. The golf ball may contain single layered core or multi-layered cores. The core is surrounded by a cover having at least one layer. The resulting ball has high resiliency and a soft compression feel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Derek A. Ladd, David A. Bulpett, Michael J. Sullivan, Brian Comeau
  • Patent number: 9005052
    Abstract: A golf ball having a core layer comprising a thermoplastic polyester elastomer formed from a polytetramethylene glycol with a molecular weight greater than or equal to 1400 g/mol is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an inner core sphere is the core layer and has a diameter ranging from 0.875 inch to 1.4 inches. The core comprises the inner core, an intermediate core and an outer core. The mantle component comprises an inner mantle and an outer mantle. The cover layer is preferably composed of a thermoplastic polyurethane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventor: Shane Parnell
  • Patent number: 8992340
    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 highly neutralized polymer, and may include a blend of different highly neutralized polymers. The cover is a two layer cover, with a hard inner cover and a thermoplastic polyurethane outer cover. The ball as a whole has properties to maximize performance and aesthetic properties, such as feel and sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Hideyuki Ishii, Yasushi Ichikawa, Arthur Molinari, Jun Ichinose, Chen-Tai Liu
  • Patent number: 8986137
    Abstract: A ball includes a core, a cover, and cracking element or cracking layer. The cracking layer may be deformed or actuated to create discontinuities in the cover. The creation of discontinuities allows for easier recycling of the ball parts. The cracking layer may include one of a bladder or a hydrophilic material that expand upon the introduction of a fluid, a shape memory polymer that deforms upon application of a stimulus, or two materials that react chemically to form a gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Derek A. Fitchett, Arthur P. Molinari
  • Patent number: 8987384
    Abstract: A durable, injection moldable, thermoplastic elastomer that has the favorable resilience, feel, spin, barrier, and UV stability performance attributes is disclosed herein. An OBC grafted with silane provides a good cover shear durability (cut/tear/abrasion resistance). This invention combines the benefits of OBCs and silane crosslinking technology to yield a golf ball cover with a desirable combination of properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventor: Shane Parnell
  • Patent number: 8979676
    Abstract: A golf ball having certain relationships and values of its initial velocities at various club head speeds is provided. The golf ball has a typical initial velocity at a low club head speed, but an increased initial velocity at a high club head speed. Therefore, the golf ball may be advantageously used by both amateur golfers having lower swing speeds and professional golfers having high swing speeds. The golf ball may also achieve an initial velocity of at least about 173 mph at a club head speed of about 125 mph, therefore achieving an increased total shot distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Hideyuki Ishii, Yasushi Ichikawa, Arthur Molinari, Chien-Hsin Chou, Chin-Shun Ko, Chen-Tai Liu, Jun Ichinose
  • Patent number: 8980155
    Abstract: An over-indexed, optionally cross-linked thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer. Also, the method of making the elastomer, and articles, including golf balls, comprising the elastomer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Yasushi Ichikawa, Thomas J. Kennedy, III
  • Patent number: 8956251
    Abstract: A golf ball comprising a core and at least one cover layer disposed about the core; the core comprising a geometric center and an outer surface, the core further comprising an untreated region extending radially from the geometric center a distance DUTr and a treated region disposed about the untreated region and extending inward from the outer surface a depth DTr, said treated region having been exposed to and comprising a fatty acid and/or fatty acid salt composition, the core further comprising an intermediate untreated region disposed about the untreated region and adjacent the treated region, the intermediate untreated region having a third hardness, wherein the first hardness is different than the second hardness and the third hardness, wherein the core comprises a first core layer extending radially from the geometric center and a second core layer disposed about the first core layer, and wherein the first core layer comprises the untreated region and the intermediate untreated region, and wherein the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Mark L. Binette, Brian Comeau
  • Patent number: RE45470
    Abstract: In a two-piece solid golf ball comprising a solid core and a cover, the JIS-C hardness at the core surface minus the JIS-C hardness at the core center is 20-30 units, the cover has a gage of 1.3-2 mm and a Shore D hardness of 40-55, and the JIS-C hardness at the cover surface is not greater than the JIS-C hardness at the core surface. Dimples are formed on the cover surface to satisfy a total number of 360-492 and a percent dimple volume VR of 0.74-0.84%. The golf ball is susceptible to spin and easy to control upon approach shots and short iron shots, travels a long distance upon driver shots, gives a pleasant feel on any shot with driver, iron and putter clubs, and offers improved playability satisfying low-handicap players.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideo Watanabe