Games using tangible projectile – Golf – Method
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-16
2001-01-30
Chapman, Jeanette (Department: 3711)
Games using tangible projectile
Golf
Method
C473S378000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06179732
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an easy and efficient method for marking a golf ball without deforming the dimples on the ball. It also relates to a golf ball which is marked by this method at the same time as it is molded.
2. Related Art
Golf balls have a plurality of dimples on the surface, and marks such as the manufacturer's name, the brand name, figures, and numbers are displayed on the dimpled curved surface of the ball.
A golf ball is generally molded using a two-part mold having inner walls which define a cavity at the interior and which are provided with a plurality of dimple-forming projections. The golf ball thus molded is trimmed of cover stock flash, buffed, and surface treated, after which marking is carried out in a separate marking step.
As shown in
FIG. 4
, conventional golf ball marking methods carried out for this purpose involve placing a transfer tape
41
bearing the markings to be displayed on the ball between the ball G and a transfer pad
42
, closing in on the ball G from both sides (in the direction of the arrows I in the diagram), and applying high pressure against the dimpled curved surface of the ball at an elevated temperature so as to effect transfer of the marks. The transfer pad
42
is supported by a support
43
which is held by a platen
44
.
However, since the marking method using a transfer tape effects transfer at a high temperature and under a strong pushing force, the dimples are deformed during transfer. Even after transfer has been completed, the dimples remain deformed rather than reverting completely to their original shape. As a result, the dimple shapes on the ball's surface lose their uniformity, which adversely affects the flight performance of the ball.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide a golf ball marking method which is able to apply markings to a golf ball easily, efficiently, and with a high degree of freedom as to the marking position, without any accompanying loss in the uniformity of the dimple shapes. Another object of this invention is to provide a golf ball which is marked by this method at the same time as it is molded.
The invention achieves these objects by providing a method for imparting markings to a golf ball surface, comprising the steps of furnishing a two-part mold having an inner wall defining a spherical cavity and parting at a position that divides the cavity into two substantially equal parts, providing a marking means on the cavity-defining wall of the mold, and filling the mold cavity with a molding material so as to display the markings on the surface of the golf ball. The marking means in the golf ball marking method of the invention is typically a mark-bearing film which integrally fuses with the surface of the ball to effect marking, or markings on the cavity-defining wall of the mold which are transferred to the surface of the ball to effect marking. The mold used in the inventive method is typically an injection mold or a compression mold.
Markings can thus be applied to the surface of a golf ball at the same time as the ball is molded using a conventional injection mold or compression mold. This method eliminates the need for a separate marking step, provides a higher degree of freedom in the marking position than is possible with prior-art marking methods, and does not cause dimple deformation during marking. Hence, surface markings can be applied concurrent with the molding of a golf ball having a high uniformity in the dimple shapes and thus an excellent flight performance.
Another golf ball marking method according to the present invention comprises affixing a marking means to a surface of a covered body comprising a core enclosed within a pair of half-cups, then applying heat and pressure, within a compression mold, to the covered body to which the marking means has been affixed, so as to display the markings on the golf ball surface. In this way, the surface of a golf ball can be easily and efficiently marked while the ball itself is being molded.
Since golf balls have been marked at the same time as their molding according to the method of this invention, the dimples on the surface of the ball are subject to no deformation and thus remain uniform in shape. These golf balls have high quality and excellent flight performance.
REFERENCES:
patent: 758851 (1904-05-01), Richards
patent: 5005838 (1991-04-01), Oka
patent: 5503699 (1996-04-01), Ratner et al.
patent: 5788890 (1998-08-01), Grey et al.
Ihara Keisuke
Inoue Michio
Bridgestone Sports Co. Ltd.
Chapman Jeanette
Gorden Raeann
Sughrue Mion Zinn Macpeak & Seas, PLLC
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