Games using tangible projectile – Golf – Ball
Reexamination Certificate
1998-09-10
2001-03-13
Layno, Benjamin H. (Department: 3711)
Games using tangible projectile
Golf
Ball
C473S376000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06200230
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a golf ball containing a liquid therein and to a method of manufacturing the golf ball.
2. Related Art
A golf ball containing a liquid therein has been known, as disclosed in Patent Publication No. JP-A-90-279177. The golf ball disclosed in this publication includes a spherical hollow shell formed of a polymer material such as thermoplastic resin, and a single liquid core contained in the shell. In this golf ball, the liquid core has a diameter of about 21.8 to about 36.3 mm, and the spherical shell has a wall thickness of about 1.5 to about 10.4 mm.
The golf ball disclosed in the Publication No. JP-A-90-279177 has a spherical hollow shell formed of a polymer material and a liquid contained in the shell. The present inventors found that, when a golf ball is manufactured through mere charging of a liquid into a spherical hollow shell, the golf ball may fail to attain sufficient resilience and durability.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has been achieved based on the above-mentioned finding. An object of the present invention is to provide a golf ball which encloses a liquid therein, and which has excellent resilience and increased durability. Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of manufacturing the golf ball.
To achieve the above objects, the present invention provides a golf ball that includes a liquid core, an outer-layer core formed to enclose the liquid core, and a cover formed to cover the outer-layer core. The liquid core is formed of a hollow sphere which contains a liquid therein. The hollow sphere is formed of a resin having an Izod impact resistance of 50 J/m or more and a wall thickness of 0.5-2.5 mm. The outer-layer core is formed of a vulcanized rubber and has a wall thickness of 7-11 mm.
In the golf ball according to the present invention, since the liquid enclosed in the golf ball (as the central portion thereof) has no rigidity, a contact area through which the face of a club comes into contact with the golf ball upon impact increases. As a result, the golf ball according to the present invention provides soft feel upon being hit (hereinafter called “soft hit feel”), and has excellent travel performance such as flat trajectory and extended run. Also, since the outer-layer core made of a vulcanized rubber and having a wall thickness of 7-11 mm is formed around the liquid core, the golf ball has excellent resilience. Moreover, a liquid is charged into the hollow sphere made of a resin having an Izod impact resistance of 50 J/m or more and a wall thickness of 0.5-2.5 mm in order to form the liquid core. With this structure, the outer-layer core is reinforced from the inside by means of the hollow sphere, resulting in an increased impact resistance of the outer-layer core. Consequently, breakage of the outer-layer core is presented, which would otherwise occur due to an impact acting on the golf ball when hit, whereby the durability of the golf ball is improved.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5919100 (1999-07-01), Boehm et al.
patent: 5997416 (1998-07-01), Maruko
patent: 2-279177 (1990-11-01), None
Bridgestone Sports Co. Ltd.
Layno Benjamin H.
Mendiratta Vishu
Sughrue Mion Zinn Macpeak & Seas, PLLC
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