Particular Cover (e.g., Size, Material, Dimple Pattern, Etc.) Patents (Class 473/378)
  • Patent number: 12239887
    Abstract: Golf ball comprising core; casing layer; cover layer; and plurality of outer coating layers. Casing layer comprises an ionomer blend of at least one ionomer and a color concentrate resin that is included in an amount of 3-10 wt. % of the ionomer blend. Cover layer is transparent and comprises thermoplastic/thermoset urethane composition. First outer coating layer is adjacent to cover layer and comprises clear water-borne or solvent-borne primer; and second outer coating layer is adjacent to first outer coating layer and comprises gold pearl primer, white sparkle primer, or combination thereof; third outer coating layer is adjacent to second outer coating layer and comprises a clear topcoat. Alternatively, second outer coating layer comprises matte topcoat, clear glossy topcoat, or combination thereof. In all embodiments, first outer coating layer and/or second outer coating layer may be colorless.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2025
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Manjari Kuntimaddi, Douglas E. Jones
  • Patent number: 12239886
    Abstract: Golf balls having covers made of thermoplastic polyurethane compositions are provided. Multi-piece golf balls can be made. In one embodiment, the outer cover layer is formed from a composition comprising a thermoplastic polyurethane and polydimethylsiloxane compound. Functionalized polydimethylsiloxane compounds also can be used to treat thermoplastic polyurethane golf ball covers. The cover composition and surface coatings can further include catalysts, ultraviolet (UV)—light stabilizers, and other additives. The coating methods have many benefits and the finished balls with thermoplastic polyurethane covers have good physical properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2025
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Michael Michalewich, Mark L. Binette, Brian Comeau
  • Patent number: 12226675
    Abstract: In a golf ball having a core, a cover, at least one intermediate layer therebetween, and a coating layer on the cover, the cover is formed of a transparent or translucent resin composition and the intermediate layer is formed of a resin composition. The sphere consisting of the core encased by the intermediate layer has specific lightness and chroma values in the Lab color space. The coating layer is composed of one or more layer, at least one of which contains an effect pigment having polarizing properties. Markings are provided inside of the coating layer and have a specific L value. During use, the ball retains a visual to familiarity close to that of a white ball. Up close, it is clearly discernible from a white ball; from a distance, it appears white and is highly visible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2025
    Assignee: BRIDGESTONE SPORTS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hideo Watanabe, Atsushi Komatsu
  • Patent number: 12220616
    Abstract: An object of the present disclosure is to provide a golf ball having good shot feeling and excellent durability while having non-lowered resilience. The present disclosure provides a golf ball comprising a spherical core and one or more cover layers disposed outside the spherical core, wherein at least one layer of the cover layers contains (A) a base resin and (B) a polyethylene oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2025
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Ayaka Shindo, Takahiro Shigemitsu, Kazuyoshi Shiga, Toshiyuki Tarao, Takanobu Kawamura
  • Patent number: 12201877
    Abstract: A golf ball dimple pattern based on a square dipyramid, i.e., two square pyramids connected base-to-base, is disclosed. The dimples are arranged within four substantially identical triangular sections on each of two substantially identical hemispheres of the ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2025
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Madson, Courtney N. Engle
  • Patent number: 12179065
    Abstract: Golf balls having dimple patterns arranged in dipyramid layouts are disclosed. The patterns may be arranged in triangular dipyramid, quadrilateral dipyramid, pentagonal dipyramid, or hexagonal dipyramid layouts. The dipyramid patterns have six, eight, ten, or twelve substantially identical dimple sections, where each dimple section is defined by a spherical triangle. The dimples in each of the identical dimple sections have at least two different dimple diameters including a minimum dimple diameter and a maximum dimple diameter. The resulting dimple patterns have a surface coverage of about 70 percent or less. The reduced surface coverage helps to reduce the flight of the golf balls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael Madson, Nicholas Nardacci
  • Patent number: 12179066
    Abstract: Golf balls having covers made of thermoplastic polyurethane compositions are provided. Multi-piece golf balls can be made. Polyurethane primer coatings and polyurethane top-coatings are applied to the thermoplastic polyurethane cover. Different coating methods can be used. Isocyanate-rich and polyol-rich polyurethane coatings can be applied. In one embodiment, the golf ball can be treated with a multi-functional isocyanate prior to applying the coatings. The polyurethane cover composition and surface coatings can further include catalysts, ultraviolet (UV) —light stabilizers, and other additives. Heat is used to cure the coatings. The coating methods have many benefits and the finished balls have good physical properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Mark L. Binette
  • Patent number: 12138510
    Abstract: A golf ball with a cover layer composed of at least one polymer and a micropowder material is disclosed herein. The micropowder material comprises polybutadiene rubber, isoprene rubber, zinc diacrylate, zinc oxide, zinc stearate, peroxide initiator, a peptizer, barium sulfate, tungsten, bismuth oxide and or bismuth oxychloride, and styrene butadiene rubber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp.
    Inventor: Vijay Chavan
  • Patent number: 12104035
    Abstract: A foam composition that includes a polymer material such as polyurethane or polyurea and a leachable water-soluble fine powder is provided. This composition can be used in a relatively simple process to obtain a foam body (porous body) that is uniform only at the surface or uniform throughout. The foam body can be suitably used as a golf ball member in golf balls required to have good controllability on approach shots. Also provided is a method for producing a foam member, which method includes the steps of molding the foam composition to obtain a solid molded body, and then leaching out and removing the water-soluble fine powder so as to obtain a foam-molded body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Katsunobu Mochizuki
  • Patent number: 12097408
    Abstract: Casing compositions including carboxylic acid groups, cover compositions including an adhesion promoter with functional groups that crosslink with carboxylic acid groups, and golf balls made from such compositions that have crosslinks between functional groups of the cover compositions and the carboxylic acid groups. The type and concentration of the components in the casing and cover compositions, including the adhesion promoter, affect the adhesion between golf balls having components made from such compositions and, thus, can be used to produce a golf ball having increased durability. Additionally, methods of crosslinking casing and cover layers made from such casing and cover compositions to increase interlayer adhesion are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael Michalewich, Shawn Ricci
  • Patent number: 12083390
    Abstract: A golf ball comprising layers that have from 0.05% to 70% by weight of a radio-opaque filler, and wherein the concentration of the radio-opaque filler is measurably different in each layer is disclosed herein. The radio-opaque filler is preferably a compound based on barium, bismuth, tungsten, iodine, or reduced iron.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp.
    Inventor: David M. Melanson
  • Patent number: 12083389
    Abstract: Golf balls having a single or dual-layered solid core are provided. In one embodiment, the golf ball has dimensions and properties that do not conform to the rules of the United States Golf Association (USGA). For example, the ball weight; ball size; ball spherical symmetry; ball initial velocity; and/or ball overall distance may fall outside of the USGA standards. The dual-layered core can have an inner core comprising a thermoplastic composition and surrounding outer core comprising a thermoset composition. In another embodiment, the dual-layered core has an inner core comprising a thermoplastic composition and outer core comprising a thermoset composition. The thermoplastic composition preferably comprises an ethylene acid copolymer ionomer and plasticizer. The thermoset composition preferably comprises polybutadiene rubber. The ball further includes a cover of at least one layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Mark L. Binette, Derek A. Ladd
  • Patent number: 12083388
    Abstract: A golf ball according to the present invention includes a core, a cover located outside the core and having a plurality of dimples, and a coating layer located outside the cover and containing a delusterant, the surface of the coating layer having an average roughness Ra of at least 0.35. The surface of the golf ball has a static friction coefficient of at least 0.20. A method for producing a golf ball according to the present invention includes forming a coating layer on the surface of a cover having a plurality of dimples by using a coating material composition including a polyurethane coating material, a delusterant, and a solvent having a boiling point of at least 130° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: BRIDGESTONE SPORTS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hirotaka Shinohara
  • Patent number: 12023553
    Abstract: An object of the present disclosure is to provide a novel golf ball having excellent spin performance on approach shots. The present disclosure provides a golf ball comprising a paint film, wherein a base resin constituting an outermost layer of the paint film is a polyurethane obtained by a reaction between (A) a polyol composition containing a polyol having a side chain and (B) a polyisocyanate composition, a loss modulus (E?) at a temperature of ?50° C. is 2.0×108 Pa or more, and a loss tangent (tan ?) has a peak with a peak height of 0.1 or more and 0.5 or less in a temperature range of ?60° C. or more and ?20° C. or less, wherein the loss modulus (E?) and the loss tangent (tan ?) are obtained by measuring a dynamic viscoelasticity of the polyurethane under specific conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Masayuki Onishi, Yasuo Naito, Kazuyoshi Shiga
  • Patent number: 12005318
    Abstract: Coating compositions including hydroxyurethane linkages, coating layers formed from such coating compositions, and golf balls including such coating layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael Michalewich, Manjari Kuntimaddi
  • Patent number: 12005319
    Abstract: Thermoplastic and thermoset compositions including hydroxyurethane linkages, golf ball components formed using such thermoplastic or thermoset compositions, and golf balls including such golf components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael Michalewich, Manjari Kuntimaddi
  • Patent number: 11980793
    Abstract: A golf ball material contains (I) a multi-component copolymer having conjugated diene units, non-conjugated olefin units and aromatic vinyl units; and (II) a binary copolymer of an olefin and an ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid of 3 to 8 carbons and/or a ternary copolymer of an olefin, an ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid of 3 to 8 carbons and an ester of the ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid, or a metal neutralization product thereof. The conjugated diene units include butadiene units, the non-conjugated olefin units include units selected from the group consisting of ethylene, propylene and 1-butene units, and the aromatic vinyl units include styrene units. The content of the conjugated diene units in the multi-component copolymer (I) is 5 wt % or more. This golf ball material is soft and has an excellent rebound resilience. Golf balls which use this material in the cover provide golfers with a competitive edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: BRIDGESTONE SPORTS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shuto Fukasawa, Atsushi Namba
  • Patent number: 11969925
    Abstract: Improved injection molding methods and molds, for forming TPU layers, especially thin TPU covers, into golf ball constructions, and having improved number, shape and placement of both the injection gates and the cold slugs within the mold in order to minimize/eliminate damage to dimples strategically positioned close to the parting line of a mold in order to maximize aerodynamic properties of the resulting golf ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Ajay Vora, John M. Thornton
  • Patent number: 11918859
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for arranging dimples on a golf ball surface in which the dimples are arranged in a pattern derived from at least one irregular domain generated from a regular or non-regular polyhedron. The method includes choosing control points of a polyhedron, generating an irregular domain based on those control points, packing the irregular domain with dimples, and tessellating the irregular domain to cover the surface of the golf ball. The control points include the center of a polyhedral face, a vertex of the polyhedron, a midpoint or other point on an edge of the polyhedron and others. The method ensures that the symmetry of the underlying polyhedron is preserved while minimizing or eliminating great circles due to parting lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Madson, Courtney N. Engle
  • Patent number: 11904211
    Abstract: A golf ball material contains (i) fine particles that have an average particle size of less than 300 ?m and are composed of a crosslinked multi-component copolymer having conjugated diene units, non-conjugated olefin units and aromatic vinyl units; and (ii) a thermoplastic resin. The conjugated diene units include butadiene units, the non-conjugated olefin units include units selected from the group consisting of ethylene, propylene and 1-butene units, the aromatic vinyl units include styrene units, and the content of the conjugated diene units in the multi-component copolymer is 5 wt % or more. This golf ball material is soft, has an excellent rebound resilience and also has a good processability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: BRIDGESTONE SPORTS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuki Mizuno, Atsushi Namba
  • Patent number: 11883720
    Abstract: A golf ball composed of a core and a cover has a spin rate and a launch angle on approach shots at a head speed (HS) of 20 m/s or 10 m/s that satisfy formulas (1) and (2) below: Spin W/Spin D?0.70??(1) Ang W/Ang D<1.20??(2). Here, Spin D is the spin rate (rpm) under dry conditions, Spin W is the spin rate (rpm) under wet conditions, Ang W is the launch angle (°) under wet conditions and Ang D is the launch angle (°) under dry conditions. The golf ball suppresses a decrease in the spin rate on approach shots in rainy weather and thus has an improved controllability, making it especially useful to professional golfers and skilled amateurs who desire a high spin performance around the green.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Kimura, Hirotaka Shinohara
  • Patent number: 11878217
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for arranging dimples on a golf ball surface in which the dimples are arranged in a pattern derived from at least one irregular domain generated from a regular or non-regular polyhedron. The method includes choosing control points of a polyhedron, generating an irregular domain based on those control points, packing the irregular domain with dimples, and tessellating the irregular domain to cover the surface of the golf ball. The control points include the center of a polyhedral face, a vertex of the polyhedron, a midpoint or other point on an edge of the polyhedron and others. The method ensures that the symmetry of the underlying polyhedron is preserved while minimizing or eliminating great circles due to parting lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Madson, Nicholas M. Nardacci
  • Patent number: 11850475
    Abstract: A golf ball with a cover layer composed of at least one polymer and a micropowder material is disclosed herein. The micropowder material comprises polybutadiene rubber, isoprene rubber, zinc diacrylate, zinc oxide, zinc stearate, peroxide initiator, a peptizer, barium sulfate, tungsten, bismuth oxide and or bismuth oxychloride, and styrene butadiene rubber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp.
    Inventor: Vijay Chavan
  • Patent number: 11833395
    Abstract: Golf balls having covers made of thermoplastic polyurethane compositions are provided. Multi-piece golf balls can be made. Polyurethane primer coatings and polyurethane top-coatings are applied to the thermoplastic polyurethane cover. Different coating methods can be used. Isocyanate-rich and polyol-rich polyurethane coatings can be applied. In one embodiment, the golf ball can be treated with a multi-functional isocyanate prior to applying the coatings. The polyurethane cover composition and surface coatings can further include catalysts, ultraviolet (UV)—light stabilizers, and other additives. Heat is used to cure the coatings. The coating methods have many benefits and the finished balls have good physical properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Mark L. Binette
  • Patent number: 11806583
    Abstract: A rubber composition for a golf ball core includes (a) a conjugated diene polymer, (b) a copolymer of a conjugated diene compound and a non-conjugated olefin, and (c) an organic peroxide. Golf balls having at least one core layer formed of such a rubber composition and a cover of one or more layers encasing the core exhibit improved durability to cracking on repeated impact while maintaining the basic properties required of golf balls, such as flight and spin controllability on approach shots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jun Shindo
  • Patent number: 11801424
    Abstract: A rubber composition for a golf ball core includes (a) a conjugated diene polymer, (b) a multi-component copolymer having conjugated diene units, non-conjugated olefin units and aromatic vinyl units, and (c) an organic peroxide. The conjugated diene units include butadiene units, the non-conjugated olefin units include ethylene units, and the aromatic vinyl units include styrene units. The content of conjugated diene units with respect to the multi-component copolymer is at least 5 wt %. Golf balls having at least one core layer formed of such a rubber composition and a cover of one or more layers encasing the core exhibit improved durability to cracking on repeated impact while maintaining the basic properties required of golf balls, such as flight and spin controllability on approach shots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jun Shindo
  • Patent number: 11779814
    Abstract: A golf ball according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is covered with an injection-molded crosslinked polyurethane. The golf ball may have excellent scuff resistance and light resistance of a cover as well as excellent driving distance and spin by using a cover composition containing crosslinked polyurethane obtained by adding a crosslinking agent to thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). A polyurethane cover composition according to an embodiment can make it possible to prepare a crosslinked polyurethane cover by injection molding without the burden of facility investment cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: VOLVIK INC.
    Inventors: Chui Ho Song, Seung Geun Park, Geon Sim, Kyung Ahn Moon
  • Patent number: 11759680
    Abstract: Golf balls having covers made of thermoplastic polyurethane compositions are provided. Multi-piece golf balls can be made. In one embodiment, the outer cover layer is formed from a composition comprising a thermoplastic polyurethane and epoxy compound. Mixtures of multi-functional amines and imines, and multi-functional isocyanates, and epoxy curing agents; and solvent, can be applied to the outer cover. The resulting coating may contain polyurethanes, polyureas, and hybrids, copolymers, and blends thereof. The cover composition and surface coatings can further include catalysts, ultraviolet (UV)-light stabilizers, and other additives. The coating methods have many benefits and the finished balls have good physical properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Michael Michalewich, Mark L. Binette, Brian Comeau
  • Patent number: 11731005
    Abstract: A method for producing a golf ball of the present invention includes the steps of: forming a first coating film on a surface of a covering having a plurality of dimples; and forming a second coating film on a surface of the first coating film. The second coating film is formed of a second coating material composition containing a polyurethane coating material and a solvent having a boiling point of 80° C. or less. An elastic recovery rate of the second coating film is 50% or more. In the golf ball of the present invention obtained by the method, an edge ratio which is a ratio of a film thickness of the second coating film in an edge portion of the dimple to a film thickness of the second coating film in a central portion of the dimple is 50% or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirotaka Shinohara, Takeharu Fujie
  • Patent number: 11724160
    Abstract: Golf balls having covers made of thermoplastic polyurethane compositions are provided. Multi-piece golf balls can be made. Polyurethane primer coatings and polyurethane top-coatings are applied to the thermoplastic polyurethane cover. Isocyanate-rich and polyol-rich polyurethane coatings can be applied. In one embodiment, multi-functional imine and amine compounds can be used to treat the golf ball. The resulting coating may contain polyurethanes, polyureas, and hybrids, copolymers, and blends thereof. The cover composition and surface coatings can further include catalysts, ultraviolet (UV)-light stabilizers, and other additives. Heat is used to cure the coatings. The coating methods have many benefits and the finished balls have good physical properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Acuchnet Companv
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Mark L. Binette
  • Patent number: 11724161
    Abstract: A golf ball includes a core and a cover positioned outside the core. An n-layer (n is a natural number) partial mid layer is provided between the core and the cover. An area of the core in a region where the cover is laminated thereon is not less than 5.0% and not greater than 95.0% of a surface area of a phantom sphere having a radius equal to an average value of a distance from a central point of the core to a surface of the core. In an outer surface of the golf ball, a color difference ?E1 based on a CIELAB color system between a region C where the cover is directly laminated on the core and a region M where the cover is laminated on the partial mid layer is not less than 20.0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Takubo, Takahiro Sajima
  • Patent number: 11724159
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to golf balls having improved aerodynamic performance due, at least in part, to the selection of the plan shapes of the dimples thereon. In particular, the present invention is directed to a golf ball that includes at least a portion of its dimples having a plan shape defined by a low frequency periodic function mapped along a simple closed path. In addition, the present invention provides methods for designing dimples having a plan shape defined by a low frequency periodic function mapped along a simple closed path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Nicholas M. Nardacci, Michael R. Madson
  • Patent number: 11712604
    Abstract: A golf ball comprising layers that have from 0.05% to 70% by weight of a radio-opaque filler, and wherein the concentration of the radio-opaque filler is measurably different in each layer is disclosed herein. The radio-opaque filler is preferably a compound based on barium, bismuth, tungsten, iodine, or reduced iron.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp.
    Inventor: David M. Melanson
  • Patent number: 11707648
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a novel golf ball having excellent spin performance on approach shots. 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 and composed of at least one layer, wherein a base resin constituting an outermost layer of the paint film includes a polyurethane, and the polyurethane has a loss elastic modulus (E?) of 0.2×108 Pa or more at ?50° C. and a loss tangent (tan ?) having a peak temperature of 0° C. or less, obtained by measuring dynamic viscoelasticity of the polyurethane under specific conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuo Naito, Masayuki Onishi, Kazuyoshi Shiga, Takahiro Shigemitsu
  • Patent number: 11707647
    Abstract: Golf balls including at least one modified dimple group are disclosed. The modified dimple group comprises one or more modified dimples forming an axially symmetric pattern about a Correction Area Centroid located on an axis of symmetry at a latitude greater than 0°, where 0° represents the hemispherical pole and 90° represents the equator. The modified dimples can be altered, for example, by changing dimple coverage, dimple diameter, dimple depth, dimple edge angle, dimple volume, dimple cross-sectional shape, and/or dimple plan shape. Optionally, the dimples have a catenary cross-sectional shape and the modified dimples are altered by changing the shape factor and/or chord depth. Such modifications preferably produce a golf ball that flies more consistently regardless of orientation when struck than a corresponding golf ball without such modifications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Madson, Nicholas M. Nardacci
  • Patent number: 11697048
    Abstract: Golf ball comprising core; casing layer; cover layer; and plurality of outer coating layers. Casing layer comprises an ionomer blend of at least one ionomer and a color concentrate resin that is included in an amount of 3-10 wt. % of the ionomer blend. Cover layer is transparent and comprises thermoplastic/thermoset urethane composition. First outer coating layer is adjacent to cover layer and comprises clear water-borne or solvent-borne primer; and second outer coating layer is adjacent to first outer coating layer and comprises gold pearl primer, white sparkle primer, or combination thereof; third outer coating layer is adjacent to second outer coating layer and comprises a clear topcoat. Alternatively, second outer coating layer comprises matte topcoat, clear glossy topcoat, or combination thereof. In all embodiments, first outer coating layer and/or second outer coating layer may be colorless.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Manjari Kuntimaddi, Douglas E. Jones
  • Patent number: 11691052
    Abstract: A golf ball dimple pattern based on a square dipyramid, i.e., two square pyramids connected base-to-base, is disclosed. The dimples are arranged within four substantially identical triangular sections on each of two substantially identical hemispheres of the ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Courtney N. Engle, Michael R. Madson
  • Patent number: 11684824
    Abstract: Buoyant dimpled golf ball having CoR ?0.810, specific gravity <1.00 g/cc, initial velocity ?250 ft/s, first aerodynamic coefficient magnitude between about 0.25 and about 0.30 and first aerodynamic force angle between about 29 degrees and 34 degrees at Reynolds Number of 230000 and spin ratio of 0.085; and second aerodynamic coefficient magnitude between about 0.26 and about 0.31 and second aerodynamic force angle between about 31 degrees and 36 degrees at Reynolds Number of 180000 and spin ratio of 0.101. Golf ball may additionally have third aerodynamic coefficient magnitude between about 0.27 and about 0.32 and third aerodynamic force angle between about 34 degrees and 39 degrees at Reynolds Number of 133000 and spin ratio of 0.133; and fourth aerodynamic coefficient magnitude between about 0.33 and about 0.38 and fourth aerodynamic force angle between about 38 degrees and 43 degrees at Reynolds Number of 89000 and spin ratio of 0.183.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Madson, Courtney N. Engle, Derek A. Ladd, Michael J. Sullivan, Mark L. Binette, William E. Morgan
  • Patent number: 11679304
    Abstract: Golf balls having a single or dual-layered solid core are provided. In one embodiment, the golf ball has dimensions and properties that do not conform to the rules of the United States Golf Association (USGA). For example, the ball weight; ball size; ball spherical symmetry; ball initial velocity; and/or ball overall distance may fall outside of the USGA standards. The dual-layered core can have an inner core comprising a thermoplastic composition and surrounding outer core comprising a thermoset composition. In another embodiment, the dual-layered core has an inner core comprising a thermoplastic composition and outer core comprising a thermoset composition. The thermoplastic composition preferably comprises an ethylene acid copolymer ionomer and plasticizer. The thermoset composition preferably comprises polybutadiene rubber. The ball further includes a cover of at least one layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Mark L. Binette, Derek A. Ladd
  • Patent number: 11642571
    Abstract: A golf ball comprising layers that have from 0.05% to 70% by weight of a radio-opaque filler, and wherein the concentration of the radio-opaque filler is measurably different in each layer is disclosed herein. The radio-opaque filler is preferably a compound based on barium, bismuth, tungsten, iodine, or reduced iron.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp.
    Inventor: David M. Melanson
  • Patent number: 11623122
    Abstract: A golf ball core, mantle, and/or cover layer(s) of golf ball having a composition comprising functionalized aluminosilicate particles having a particle size of less than 50 ?m is disclosed herein. The aluminosilicate microspheres with an average diameter less than 50 ?m are functionalized with, but not limited to, polysulfide, vinyl, amino, epoxy, hydroxyl, carboxyl, methacryloyl, hydrocarbon, mercapto and isocyanate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp.
    Inventor: Hong G. Jeon
  • Patent number: 11583734
    Abstract: A golf ball includes a core, a mid layer, and a cover. A ratio R1 calculated by mathematical formula (1): R1=(Df1?Df2)/(Df2?Df3) is not less than 5.00. A ratio R2 calculated by mathematical formula (2): R2=(T2*H2)/H3 is not less than 2.00. A ratio R3 calculated by mathematical formula (3): R3=D1/T3 is not less than 50. In mathematical formulas (1) to (3), Df1 represents an amount of compressive deformation of the core, Df2 represents an amount of compressive deformation of a sphere including the core and the mid layer, Df3 represents an amount of compressive deformation of the golf ball, T2 represents a thickness of the mid layer, H2 represents a hardness of the mid layer, H3 represents a hardness of the cover, D1 represents a diameter of the core, and T3 represents a thickness of the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Hidetaka Inoue, Kazuya Kamino
  • Patent number: 11583733
    Abstract: A golf ball includes a core, a mid layer, and a cover. A ratio R1 calculated by mathematical formula (1): R1=(Df1?Df2)/(Df2?Df3) is not less than 5.00. A ratio R2 calculated by mathematical formula (2): R2=(T2*H2)/H3 is not less than 2.00. A ratio R3 calculated by mathematical formula (3): R3=D1/T3 is less than 50. In mathematical formulas (1) to (3), Df1 represents an amount of compressive deformation of the core, Df2 represents an amount of compressive deformation of a sphere including the core and the mid layer, Df3 represents an amount of compressive deformation of the golf ball, T2 represents a thickness of the mid layer, H2 represents a hardness of the mid layer, H3 represents a hardness of the cover, D1 represents a diameter of the core, and T3 represents a thickness of the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Hidetaka Inoue, Kazuya Kamino
  • Patent number: 11541281
    Abstract: Provided are a golf ball and a resin composition for a cover or topcoat thereof which can suppress the yellowing of the golf ball caused by ultraviolet rays even if a naturally derived substance is used as an ultraviolet absorber, and they are environmentally and human friendly. A resin composition for a cover or topcoat of a golf ball of the present invention contains: a resin for a cover or topcoat; and a plant-derived extract which absorbs ultraviolet rays. The resin composition has a color difference ?E of 10.0 or less in a Lab color system between before and after a color tone change test, the color tone change test being carried out by irradiating a film formed from the resin composition with a xenon lamp. In the golf ball of the present invention, the cover or the topcoat is formed by using the resin composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hirotaka Shinohara
  • Patent number: 11511162
    Abstract: A golf ball having a cover with a plurality of dimples on the surface thereof is provided with a coat of mutually differing properties on dimple areas of the surface and on land areas between the dimples. The land areas are formed with a coat having a high coefficient of friction and the dimple areas have a surface energy of not more than 32 dynes, enabling a lower spin rate to be achieved and thus increasing the distance traveled by the ball, particularly when struck with a middle iron, and also help impart a high spin rate and a good controllability on approach shots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hirotaka Shinohara
  • Patent number: 11497969
    Abstract: Golf balls having covers made of thermoplastic polyurethane compositions are provided. Multi-piece golf balls can be made. Polyurethane primer coatings and polyurethane top-coatings are applied to the thermoplastic polyurethane cover. Different coating methods can be used. Isocyanate-rich and polyol-rich polyurethane coatings can be applied. In one embodiment, the golf ball can be treated with a multi-functional isocyanate prior to applying the coatings. The polyurethane cover composition and surface coatings can further include catalysts, ultraviolet (UV)-light stabilizers, and other additives. Heat is used to cure the coatings. The coating methods have many benefits and the finished balls have good physical properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Mark L. Binette
  • Patent number: 11458368
    Abstract: Golf balls having covers made of thermoplastic polyurethane compositions are provided. Multi-piece golf balls can be made. In one embodiment, the outer cover layer is formed from a composition comprising a thermoplastic polyurethane and epoxy compound. Mixtures of multi-functional amines and imines, and multi-functional isocyanates, and epoxy curing agents; and solvent, can be applied to the outer cover. The resulting coating may contain polyurethanes, polyureas, and hybrids, copolymers, and blends thereof. The cover composition and surface coatings can further include catalysts, ultraviolet (UV)-light stabilizers, and other additives. The coating methods have many benefits and the finished balls have good physical properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Michael Michalewich, Mark L. Binette, Brian Comeau
  • Patent number: 11446546
    Abstract: A system determining a spin axis of a ball includes a radar transmitting a signal into a target area. The radar includes a minimum of three receivers arranged so that two pairs of receivers are not co-linear. The system also includes a Processing Unit (“PU”) receiving data from the radar and determining a radar range of frequencies received at a point in time corresponding to differing velocities relative to the radar of different portions of the ball as the ball is spinning. PU divides the radar frequency range into a plurality of frequency components and calculating, for each of the frequency components, an angular position associated therewith. PU identifies as a projection of the spin axis in a plane perpendicular to a line of sight from the radar to the ball, a line perpendicular to a line represented by the determined angular positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: TRACKMAN A/S
    Inventors: Fredrik Tuxen, Michael Ungstrup, Kasper Mackeprang
  • Patent number: 11439873
    Abstract: A golf ball core, mantle, and/or cover layer(s) of golf ball having a composition comprising functionalized aluminosilicate particles having a particle size of less than 50 ?m is disclosed herein. The aluminosilicate microspheres with an average diameter less than 50 ?m are functionalized with, but not limited to, polysulfide, vinyl, amino, epoxy, hydroxyl, carboxyl, methacryloyl, hydrocarbon, mercapto and isocyanate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventor: Hong G. Jeon
  • Patent number: 11400347
    Abstract: A golf ball with improved durability is disclosed herein. The golf ball has a mantle layer comprising a blend of ionomers and methyl methacrylate, butadiene, styrene (MBS) with a weight percentage of MBS ranging from 5 to 15 weight percent of the mantle layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventor: Carl Brown