Games using tangible projectile – Golf – Ball
Reexamination Certificate
1997-11-07
2001-10-30
Graham, Mark S. (Department: 3711)
Games using tangible projectile
Golf
Ball
C473S372000, C473S358000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06309312
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to golf balls and, more particularly, to golf balls comprising one or more metal mantle layers and which do not utilize a core or core component and so, are essentially hollow. The golf balls may comprise an optional polymeric outer cover and/or an inner polymeric hollow sphere substrate.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Prior artisans have attempted to incorporate metal layers or metal filler particles in golf balls to alter the physical characteristics and performance of the balls. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,031,194 to Strayer is directed to the use of a spherical inner metal layer that is bonded or otherwise adhered to a resilient inner constituent within the ball. The ball utilizes a liquid filled core. U.S. Pat. No. 4,863,167 to Matsuki, et al. describes golf balls containing a gravity filler which may be formed from one or more metals disposed within a solid rubber-based core. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,886,275 and 4,995,613, both to Walker, disclose golf balls having a dense metal-containing core. U.S. Pat. No. 4,943,055 to Corley is directed to a weighted warmup ball having a metal center.
Prior artisans have also described golf balls having one or more interior layers formed from a metal, and which feature a hollow center. Davis disclosed a golf ball comprising a spherical steel shell having a hollow air-filled center in U.S. Pat. No. 697,816. Kempshall received numerous patents directed to golf balls having metal inner layers and hollow interiors, such as U.S. Pat. No. 704,748; 704,838; 713,772; and 739,753. In U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,182,604 and 1,182,605, Wadsworth described golf balls utilizing concentric spherical shells formed from tempered steel. U.S. Pat. No. 1,568,514 to Lewis describes several embodiments for a golf ball, one of which utilizes multiple steel shells disposed within the ball, and which provide a hollow center for the ball.
Although satisfactory in at least some respects, all of the foregoing ball constructions are deficient, particularly when considered in view of the stringent demands of the current golf industry. As will be appreciated, the golf balls disclosed by Davis and Kempshall, all patented in 1902 or 1903, would be entirely unacceptable for the golf industry at present. Similarly, the ball configurations described by Wadsorth and Lewis in the above-noted patents, issued in 1916 and 1926 respectively, would not meet the demands of today's golf industry. Specifically, there is a need for a golf ball that exhibits a high initial velocity or coefficient of restitution (COR), may be driven relatively long distances in regulation play, and which may be readily and inexpensively manufactured.
These and other objects and features of the invention will be apparent from the following summary and description of the invention, the drawings, and from the claims.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention achieves the foregoing objectives and provides a golf ball comprising one or more metal mantle layers that define a relatively large hollow interior within the ball. Specifically, the present invention provides, in a first aspect, a golf ball having a hollow spherical center, and comprising a spherical metal mantle and a polymeric outer cover disposed about and adjacent to the metal mantle. The metal mantle is preferably formed from steel, titanium, chromium, nickel, or alloys thereof. The metal mantle may comprise one or more layers, each formed from a different metal. The polymeric outer cover is preferably relatively soft and formed from a low acid ionomer, a non-ionomer, or a blend thereof.
In a second aspect, the present invention provides a golf ball having a hollow interior, and comprising an inner polymeric hollow spherical substrate, a spherical metal mantle, and a polymeric outer cover. The spherical metal mantle is disposed between the spherical substrate and the outer cover.
In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a golf ball having a hollow spherical metal mantle, the outer surface of which constitutes the outer surface of the golf ball. In an alternate variant, the essentially all metal hollow golf ball comprises a hollow polymeric spherical substrate disposed within the metal mantle.
The present invention also provides related methods of forming golf balls having metal mantles, with or without an inner polymeric hollow spherical substrate or an outer cover.
These and other objects and features of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description.
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Nesbitt R. Dennis
Sullivan Michael J.
Gorden Raeann
Graham Mark S.
Spalding Sports Worldwide Inc.
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