Games using tangible projectile – Golf – Ball
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-03
2001-09-11
Graham, Mark S. (Department: 3711)
Games using tangible projectile
Golf
Ball
C473S357000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06287216
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to golf balls and, more particularly, to wound golf balls with fluid-filled centers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Wound golf balls are the preferred ball of more advanced players due to their spin and feel characteristics. Wound balls typically have either a solid rubber or fluid-filled center around which a wound layer is formed, which results in a wound core. The wound layer is formed of thread that is stretched and wrapped about the center. The wound core is then covered with a durable cover material, such as a SURLYN® or similar material, or a softer “performance” cover, such as Balata or polyurethane. Examples of such balls are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,244,855; 5,020,803; 5,033,749; 5,496,034; and 5,683,311.
Wound balls are generally softer and provide more spin than solid balls, which enables a skilled golfer to have more control over the ball's flight and final position. Particularly, with approach shots into the green, the high spin rate of soft covered, wound balls enables the golfer to stop the ball very near its landing position. In addition, wound balls exhibit lower compression than non-wound balls. Although the higher spin rate exhibited by wound balls means wound balls generally display shorter distance than hard covered non-wound balls, the advantages of wound constructions over non-wound ones are more related to targeting or accuracy than distance.
The United States Golf Association (USGA), the organization that sets the rules of golf in the United States, has instituted a rule that prohibits the competitive use in any USGA sanctioned event of a golf ball that can achieve an initial velocity of 76.2 meters per second (m/s), or 250 ft/s, when struck by a driver with a velocity of 39.6 m/s, i.e., 130 ft/s (referred to hereinafter as “the USGA test”). However, an allowed tolerance of 2 percent permits manufacturers to produce golf balls that achieve an initial velocity of 77.7 m/s (255 ft/s).
Players generally seek a golf ball that delivers maximum distance, which requires a high initial velocity upon impact. Therefore, in an effort to meet the demands of the marketplace, manufacturers strive to produce golf balls with initial velocities in the USGA test that approximate the USGA maximum of 77.7 m/s or 255 ft/s as closely as possible. Manufacturers try to provide these balls with a range of different properties and characteristics, such as spin.
To meet the needs of golfers with various levels of skill, golf ball manufacturers are also concerned with varying the level of the compression of the ball, which is a measurement of the deformation of a golf ball under a fixed load. A ball with a higher compression feels harder than a ball of lower compression. Wound golf balls generally have a lower compression which is preferred by better players. Whether wound or non-wound, all golf balls become more resilient (i.e., have higher initial velocities) as compression increases. Manufacturers of both wound and non-wound construction golf balls must balance the requirement of higher initial velocity from higher compression with the desire for a softer feel from lower compression.
Therefore, golf ball manufacturers are continually searching for new ways in which to provide wound golf balls that deliver good performance for golfers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed towards an improved wound golf ball and a method of making the same. The wound golf ball comprises a center covered with a wound layer, which in turn is surrounded by a cover layer. The center includes a non-wound shell with at least two layers, and the center is filled with a fluid. One layer is formed of a thermoset material and the other layer is formed of a thermoplastic material. The fluid disposed within the shell has a fluid volume of at least 0.5 cubic inches.
In one embodiment, the thermoset material is polybutadiene. In another embodiment, the thermoplastic material is hydrophobic. Hydrophobic materials such as polyether-amide block copolymer or a blend thereof or a blend of at least one hydrophilic, thermoplastic polymer and at least one hydrophobic polymer can be used.
In one embodiment, the thermoplastic material can be the innermost layer, and in another embodiment the thermoset material can be the innermost layer.
According to one aspect of the present invention, the shell can define a shell volume such that the fluid volume is less than about 60% of the shell volume. According to another aspect of the present invention, the wound layer has a wound layer volume, the shell has a shell layer volume, and a ratio of the wound layer volume to the shell layer volume is less than or equal to about 5.0.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, the golf ball includes the non-wound, two-layer, fluid-filled shell, the wound layer and the cover layer. However, the two-layer shell includes a first layer formed of a thermoset material and the second layer formed of a material with a water vapor permeation rate of less than about 250 (g·mil)/(100 in
2
·day).
In other embodiments, the material of the second layer has a water vapor permeation rate less than 175 (g·mil)/(100 in
2
·day).
The method of making the wound golf ball comprises the steps of forming a first layer for a shell using a thermoplastic material and injecting at least 0.5 cubic inches of fluid into the shell to form a fluid-filled envelope. Molding two, second layer hemispheres for the shell using a rubber material so that the fluid-filled envelope is surrounded with the second layer hemispheres. Curing the second layer hemispheres to form a center, surrounding the center with a wound layer to form a wound core, and forming a cover around the wound core.
The invention thus provides a novel wound ball and method of making the wound ball that offers good playing characteristics.
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Acushnet Company
Graham Mark S.
Groden Raeann
Pennie & Edmonds LLP
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