Games using tangible projectile – Golf – Ball
Reexamination Certificate
2002-10-29
2004-02-10
Blau, Stephen (Department: 3711)
Games using tangible projectile
Golf
Ball
C473S351000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06688991
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to golf balls and more particularly, the invention is directed to a high moment of inertia ball with a relatively large core.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Conventional golf balls can be divided into two general types or groups: solid balls or wound balls. The difference in play characteristics resulting from these different constructions can be quite significant. These balls, however, have primarily two functional components that make them work. These components are the center or core and the cover. The primary purpose of the core is to be the “spring” of the ball or the principal source of resiliency. The cover protects the core and improves the spin characteristics of the ball.
Two-piece solid balls are made with a single-solid core, usually made of a cross-linked polybutadiene or other rubber, which is encased by a cover. These balls are typically the least expensive to manufacture as the number of components is low and these components can be manufactured by relatively quick, automated molding techniques. In these balls, the solid core is the “spring” or source of resiliency. The resiliency of the core can be increased by increasing the cross-linking density of the core material. As the resiliency increases, however, the compression also increases making a harder ball, which is undesirable. Recently, commercially successful golf balls, such as the Titleist Pro-V1 golf balls, have a relatively large polybutadiene based core, ionomer casing and polyurethane cover, for long distance when struck by the driver clubs and controlled greenside play.
Moreover, the spin rate of golf balls is the end result of many variables, one of which is the distribution of the density or specific gravity within the ball. Spin rate is an important characteristic of golf balls for both skilled and recreational golfers. High spin rate allows the more skilled players, such as PGA professionals and low handicapped players, to maximize control of the golf ball. A high spin rate golf ball is advantageous for an approach shot to the green. The ability to produce and control back spin to stop the ball on the green and side spin to draw or fade the ball substantially improves the player's control over the ball. Hence, the more skilled players generally prefer a golf ball that exhibits high spin rate.
On the other hand, recreational players who cannot intentionally control the spin of the ball generally do not prefer a high spin rate golf ball. For these players, slicing and hooking are the more immediate obstacles. When a club head strikes a ball, an unintentional side spin is often imparted to the ball, which sends the ball off its intended course. The side spin reduces the player's control over the ball, as well as the distance the ball will travel. A golf ball that spins less tends not to drift off-line erratically if the shot is not hit squarely off the club face. The low spin ball will not cure the hook or the slice, but will reduce side spin and its adverse effects on play. Hence, recreational players prefer a golf ball that exhibits low spin rate.
However, the prior art does not disclose a golf ball that has a large core or “spring” and proper weight distribution for controlled spin.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a golf ball with a controlled moment of inertia.
The present invention is also directed to a large core golf ball with a controlled moment of inertia.
The present invention is directed to a golf ball comprising a core and a cover, wherein the ball has a moment of inertia greater than about 0.46 oz·inch
2
and wherein the core has a diameter greater than 1.50 inches and comprises a highly neutralized thermoplastic polymer having a specific gravity of less than 1.05 and the cover having a specific gravity of greater than about 1.05, wherein the highly neutralized thermoplastic polymer has its specific gravity reduced, and the cover comprises a polymer with its specific gravity increased.
The cover comprises a polymer selected from a group consisted of polyurethane, ionomer, polyurea, partially or fully neutralized ionomer, metallocene catalyzed polymers, polyesters, polyamides, thermoplastic elastomers, copolyether esters and copolyether-amides. The cover has hardness in the range of about 40 to about 80 on the Shore D scale.
The highly neutralized thermoplastic preferably comprises (a) an ethylene, C
3-8
alpha, beta-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid copolymer, (b) a high molecular weight, monomeric organic acid or salt thereof and (c) a cation source. This highly neutralized thermoplastic may be blended with (d) a thermoplastic elastomer polymer selected from copolyetheresters, copolyetheramides, block styrene polydiene thermoplastic elastomers, elastomeric polyolefins, and thermoplastic polyurethanes.
Alternatively, the highly neutralized polymer comprises a melt processible thermoplastic composition comprising (a) aliphatic, mono-functional organic acid(s) having fewer than 36 atoms and (b) an ethylene, C
3-8
alpha, beta-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid copolymer(s) and ionomer(s) thereof.
Alternatively, the highly neutralized polymer comprises (a) a salt of a high molecular weight organic acid and (b) an acid containing copolymer ionomer. This highly neutralized polymer may be blended with (c) a thermoplastic polymer selected from co-polyesteresters, copolyetheramides, block styrene polydiene thermoplastic elastomers, elastomeric polyolefins, and thermoplastic polyurethanes.
Preferably, the diameter of the core is from about 1.50 inches to about 1.66 inches, and the specific gravity of the highly neutralized polymer is reduced by the incorporating low specific gravity fillers into the polymer, or by foaming. The specific gravity of the cover is increased by incorporating high specific gravity fillers therein. Preferably, the specific gravity of the core is less than 1.0, and the specific gravity of the cover is between about 1.05 and about 10.0. More preferably, the specific gravity of the cover is greater than about 2.0.
The golf ball in accordance to the present invention may have the moment of inertia of the golf ball is greater than 0.50 oz·in
2
, or more preferably greater than about 0.575 oz·in
2
.
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Ladd Derek A.
Sullivan Michael J.
Acushnet Company
Blau Stephen
Hunter, Jr. Alvin A.
LandOfFree
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