EP0897732A2 - Balle de golf solide en plusieurs pièces - Google Patents

Balle de golf solide en plusieurs pièces Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0897732A2
EP0897732A2 EP98306409A EP98306409A EP0897732A2 EP 0897732 A2 EP0897732 A2 EP 0897732A2 EP 98306409 A EP98306409 A EP 98306409A EP 98306409 A EP98306409 A EP 98306409A EP 0897732 A2 EP0897732 A2 EP 0897732A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
shore
outer cover
product
hardnesses
dimple
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP98306409A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0897732B1 (fr
EP0897732A3 (fr
Inventor
Hisashi Bridgestone Sports Co. Ltd. Yamagishi
Hiroshi Bridgestone Sports Co. Ltd. Higuchi
Junji Bridgestone Sports Co. Ltd. Hayashi
Akira Bridgestone Sports Co. Ltd. Kawata
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Bridgestone Sports Co Ltd
Original Assignee
Bridgestone Sports Co Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Bridgestone Sports Co Ltd filed Critical Bridgestone Sports Co Ltd
Publication of EP0897732A2 publication Critical patent/EP0897732A2/fr
Publication of EP0897732A3 publication Critical patent/EP0897732A3/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0897732B1 publication Critical patent/EP0897732B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B37/00—Solid balls; Rigid hollow balls; Marbles
    • A63B37/0003—Golf balls
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B37/00—Solid balls; Rigid hollow balls; Marbles
    • A63B37/0003—Golf balls
    • A63B37/0004—Surface depressions or protrusions
    • A63B37/00215—Volume ratio
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B37/00—Solid balls; Rigid hollow balls; Marbles
    • A63B37/0003—Golf balls
    • A63B37/0004—Surface depressions or protrusions
    • A63B37/0016—Specified individual dimple volume
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B37/00—Solid balls; Rigid hollow balls; Marbles
    • A63B37/0003—Golf balls
    • A63B37/0004—Surface depressions or protrusions
    • A63B37/0019—Specified dimple depth
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B37/00—Solid balls; Rigid hollow balls; Marbles
    • A63B37/0003—Golf balls
    • A63B37/0004—Surface depressions or protrusions
    • A63B37/002—Specified dimple diameter
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B37/00—Solid balls; Rigid hollow balls; Marbles
    • A63B37/0003—Golf balls
    • A63B37/0023—Covers
    • A63B37/0029—Physical properties
    • A63B37/0031—Hardness
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B37/00—Solid balls; Rigid hollow balls; Marbles
    • A63B37/0003—Golf balls
    • A63B37/007—Characteristics of the ball as a whole
    • A63B37/0072—Characteristics of the ball as a whole with a specified number of layers
    • A63B37/0075—Three piece balls, i.e. cover, intermediate layer and core
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B37/00—Solid balls; Rigid hollow balls; Marbles
    • A63B37/12—Special coverings, i.e. outer layer material

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a multi-piece solid golf ball having a cover of inner and outer layers and more particularly, to a multi-piece solid golf ball in which cover hardness and dimples are optimized so as to improve flight distance performance.
  • Golf balls are generally classified into solid golf balls in which a solid core is enclosed with at least one layer of cover and wound golf balls in which a wound core in the form of a center ball having thread rubber wound thereon is enclosed with a cover. Numerous modifications were heretofore proposed to improve flight distance properties, spin performance, and controllability.
  • an approach of increasing a spin rate by forming the cover soft or to low hardness falls under the category of the prior art.
  • improvements in multi-piece solid golf balls are by adjusting the composition and hardness of the thermoplastic resin of which each cover layer is constructed. For example, if it is desired to increase a spin rate, the outer cover layer coming in direct contact with the club face is formed relatively soft in consideration of a friction phenomenon upon impact. Inversely, if it is desired to decrease a spin rate, the outer cover layer is formed relatively hard.
  • the multi-piece solid golf balls wherein the outer cover layer is formed relatively soft have the problem that a desired spin rate is not always obtained because the hardness of the inner cover layer in contact with the outer cover layer is not optimized and thus, the deformation process upon impact differs among the respective layers.
  • the present invention has been made under the above-mentioned circumstances and its object is to provide a golf ball comprising a solid core enclosed with two inner and outer layers enabling to increase a flight distance.
  • a spin rate is approximately explained in terms of a product of the Shore D hardness of the inner cover layer multiplied by the Shore D hardness of the outer cover layer. More particularly, a more spin rate is obtained when the product of the Shore D hardnesses of the inner and outer layers has a relatively smaller value. Inversely, a less spin rate is obtained when the same product has a relatively larger value.
  • effective means for taking full advantage of the spin property dependent on the product of the Shore D hardnesses of the inner and outer layers and improving the flight performance of the golf ball is to divide the range of the product into sub-ranges and form dimples so as to satisfy the following two requirements associated with the sub-ranges of the product.
  • V R % of the total of the volumes of dimple spaces each defined below a plane circumscribed by the dimple edge to the overall volume of a phantom sphere given on the assumption that the golf ball surface is free of dimples
  • V R % of the total of the volumes of dimple spaces each defined below a plane circumscribed by the dimple edge to the overall volume of a phantom sphere given on the assumption that the golf ball surface is free of dimples
  • V 0 which is the volume of one dimple space defined below a plane circumscribed by the dimple edge divided by the volume of a cylinder whose bottom is the plane and whose height is the maximum depth of the dimple from the bottom.
  • the present invention provides:
  • FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a dimple illustrating how to calculate a value V 0 .
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the dimple illustrating how to calculate a value V 0 .
  • FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the dimple illustrating how to calculate a value V 0 .
  • the multi-piece solid golf ball of the invention is defined as comprising a solid core and a cover of two inner and outer layers surrounding the core, the outer cover layer having a surface formed with a plurality of dimples.
  • a dimple parameter can be specified in conjunction with each of the sub-ranges of the product for achieving optimization.
  • the solid core may be formed of a well-known rubber composition.
  • a well-known crosslinking agent such as 1,4-cis-polybutadiene
  • co-crosslinking agent such as 1,4-cis-polybutadiene
  • filler such as 1,4-cis-polybutadiene
  • the solid core may consist of a single layer or plural layers.
  • the solid core preferably undergoes a distortion or deformation of 2.6 to 6.5 mm, more preferably 2.7 to 6.3 mm, most preferably 2.8 to 6.0 mm under an applied load of 100 kg.
  • a distortion of less than 2.6 mm (hard core) would exacerbate hitting feel.
  • a distortion of more than 6.5 mm (soft core) would result in a ball with less restitution.
  • the golf ball of the invention is constructed by forming a cover of two (inner and outer) layer structure around the aforementioned solid core.
  • the inner and outer layers may be formed of well-known cover stocks. Specifically, ionomer resins, thermoplastic polyester elastomers, and thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers may be used alone or in admixture of two or more.
  • cover stocks must be selected such that the product of the Shore D hardness of the inner cover layer multiplied by the Shore D hardness of the outer cover layer fall in the range of 1,500 to 4,000.
  • the Shore D hardnesses of the inner and outer cover layers may be identical with or different from each other insofar as the product of Shore D hardnesses falls in the range of 1,500 to 4,000. That is, the Shore D hardness of the inner cover layer may be substantially identical with the Shore D hardness of the outer cover layer. Alternatively, either one of the inner and outer cover layers may be softer or harder than the other. The hardness difference between the inner and outer cover layers may be appropriately determined.
  • the outer cover layer has a Shore D hardness of up to 63, more preferably 30 to 62, especially 35 to 61. With a Shore D hardness of more than 63, there is a risk that no spin is acquired due to a slip phenomenon between the cover and the club face. If the hardness of the outer cover layer is below 30, the ball would lose restitution.
  • the inner cover layer preferably has a Shore D hardness of 28 to 68. Restitution would be lost with an inner cover layer hardness of less than 28 whereas hitting feel would be exacerbated by a hardness above 68.
  • the method for forming the inner and outer cover layers around the solid core is not critical and can be in accord with conventional ones. Included are a method of enclosing the solid core with a pair of hemispherical half cups of an inner cover layer composition, compression molding to join the cups to the core, placing it in an injection mold, and injecting an outer cover layer composition and another method of forming half cups from inner and outer cover layer compositions, respectively, mating them to form half cups of the two layer structure, enclosing the solid core with the half cups, and effecting compression molding.
  • the thus formed cover of the inner and outer layers may have any desired gage.
  • the inner cover layer has a gage of 0.5 to 3.0 mm, especially 1.0 to 2.5 mm
  • the outer cover layer has a gage of 0.5 to 2.5 mm, especially 1.0 to 2.3 mm
  • the cover has a total gage of 1.0 to 5.5 mm, preferably 1.5 to 5.0 mm, especially 1.5 to 3.5 mm.
  • the multi-piece solid golf ball of the invention has a plurality of dimples formed in the outer cover layer.
  • the dimples are formed such that when the product of the Shore D hardness of the inner cover layer multiplied by the Shore D hardness of the outer cover layer is in the range from 1,500 to 4,000, which is divided into sub-ranges, a factor V R associated with the dimples, that is, a proportion V R (%) of the total of the volumes of dimple spaces each defined below a plane circumscribed by the dimple edge to the overall volume of a phantom sphere given on the assumption that the golf ball surface is free of dimples has the following value.
  • Vs in the above equation is represented by the following equation and V R can be calculated by substituting the value of Vs into the above equation of V R .
  • Vp 1 , Vp 2 , ... Vp n represent the volumes of dimples of different dimensions and N 1 , N 2 , ... N n represent the number of dimples having the volumes Vp 1 , Vp 2 , ... Vp n , respectively.
  • the dimples formed in the golf ball of the invention must further satisfy the requirement that there are included at least three types of dimples which are different in at least one of a diameter, a depth, and a value V 0 which is the volume of one dimple space defined below a plane circumscribed by the dimple edge divided by the volume of a cylinder whose bottom is the plane and whose height is the maximum depth of the dimple from the bottom. If the number of dimple types is less than 3, there arises the problem that the golf ball lofts too high or drops prematurely.
  • V 0 associated with the dimple requirement is described below.
  • a phantom sphere 2 having the ball diameter and another phantom sphere 3 having a diameter smaller by 0.16 mm than the ball diameter are drawn in conjunction with a dimple 1.
  • the circumference of the other sphere 3 intersects with the dimple 1 at a point 4.
  • a tangent 5 at intersection 4 intersects with the phantom sphere 2 at a point 6 while a series of intersections 6 define a dimple edge 7.
  • the dimple edge 7 is so defined for the reason that otherwise, the exact position of the dimple edge cannot be determined because the actual edge of the dimple 1 is rounded.
  • the planar shape of a dimple is not circular
  • the maximum diameter or length of a dimple is determined
  • the plane projected shape of the dimple is assumed to be a circle having a diameter equal to this maximum diameter or length, and V 0 is calculated as above based on this assumption.
  • dimples of the largest type preferably have a diameter of 3.7 to 4.5 mm, especially 3.8 to 4.3 mm and a depth of 0.15 to 0.25 mm, especially 0.155 to 0.23 mm, and their number is preferably 5 to 80%, especially 10 to 75% of the total dimple number. They are preferably set to have a V 0 value of 0.38 to 0.55. More preferably V 0 is 0.4 to 0.52.
  • dimples of the smallest type preferably have a diameter of 2.0 to 3.7 mm, especially 2.4 to 3.6 mm and a depth of 0.08 to 0.23 mm, especially 0.09 to 0.21 mm, and their number is preferably 1 to 40%, especially 2 to 30% of the total dimple number. They are preferably set to have a V 0 value of 0.38 to 0.55, especially 0.4 to 0.52.
  • the golf ball as a whole should preferably have a V 0 value of 0.38 to 0.55, more preferably 0.4 to 0.52, especially 0.42 to 0.5.
  • a V 0 value of less than 0.38 is likely to lead to a non-long-lasting trajectory whereas a V 0 value of more than 0.55 is likely to lead to a high rise or aloft trajectory.
  • the total number of dimples is not critical although usually 360 to 460 dimples, especially 370 to 450 dimples are formed.
  • the golf ball of the invention can be used as tournament golf balls and constructed in accordance with the Rules of Golf to a diameter of not less than 42.67 mm and a weight of not greater than 45.93 grams.
  • the multi-piece solid golf ball of the invention has the advantages that various properties including spin, feeling and durability inherent to the multi-piece construction are further improved and an increased flight distance is expected due to the elimination of a high rise or dropping trajectory.
  • Solid cores having a diameter of 36.7 mm were prepared by mixing a rubber composition of the formulation shown in Table 1 in a roll mill and heat compression molding the composition at 155°C for 15 minutes.
  • Each solid core was enclosed with cover stocks shown in Table 2 in the order shown in Tables 4 and 5 to form an inner cover layer and an outer cover layer.
  • the outer cover layer on the surface was formed with dimples shown in Tables 3, 4, and 5. Three-piece solid golf balls were obtained in this way.
  • Solid core composition I II III IV 1,4-polybutadiene (cis structure) 100 100 100 100 100 100 Zinc acrylate 32 32 23 33 Dicumyl peroxide 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 Antioxidant 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 Zinc oxide 5 5 5 4 Barium sulfate 13.2 23.1 26.8 0 Peptizer 1 1 1 0 Cover stock (pbw) A B C D E F Hytrel 4047 100 - - - - - Surlyn 8120 - 50 - 30 - - Himilan 1557 - 50 - - - 50 Himilan 1856 - - 90 - - - N0825J - - 10 - - - Himilan 1605 - - - 20 - 50 Himilan 1706 - - - 50 - - PANDEX T-7890 - - -
  • the multi-piece solid golf balls of the invention exhibit a satisfactory trajectory and are excellent in all of spin, carry, and total flight distance.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
  • Compositions Of Macromolecular Compounds (AREA)
EP98306409A 1997-08-11 1998-08-11 Balle de golf solide en plusieurs pièces Expired - Lifetime EP0897732B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP228902/97 1997-08-11
JP22890297 1997-08-11
JP9228902A JPH1157067A (ja) 1997-08-11 1997-08-11 マルチピースソリッドゴルフボール

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0897732A2 true EP0897732A2 (fr) 1999-02-24
EP0897732A3 EP0897732A3 (fr) 2001-06-06
EP0897732B1 EP0897732B1 (fr) 2008-12-31

Family

ID=16883658

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP98306409A Expired - Lifetime EP0897732B1 (fr) 1997-08-11 1998-08-11 Balle de golf solide en plusieurs pièces

Country Status (3)

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EP (1) EP0897732B1 (fr)
JP (1) JPH1157067A (fr)
DE (1) DE69840396D1 (fr)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1191981A1 (fr) * 1999-06-08 2002-04-03 Dunlop Maxfli Sports Corporation Balle de golf possedant trois types d'alveoles
US6726579B2 (en) 2001-10-31 2004-04-27 Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd. Multi-piece solid golf ball
US6843735B2 (en) 2002-02-27 2005-01-18 Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd. Golf ball
US6852045B2 (en) 2002-03-28 2005-02-08 Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd. Golf ball
US6910975B2 (en) 2002-08-12 2005-06-28 Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd. Golf ball
US7148290B2 (en) 2001-11-20 2006-12-12 Sri Sports Limited Rubber composition for golf ball

Families Citing this family (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6739986B2 (en) 2000-09-11 2004-05-25 Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd. Multi-piece solid golf ball
US6746345B2 (en) 2000-09-11 2004-06-08 Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd. Multi-piece solid golf ball
US6723008B2 (en) 2000-09-11 2004-04-20 Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd. Multi-piece solid golf ball
JP4092532B2 (ja) 2001-01-12 2008-05-28 ブリヂストンスポーツ株式会社 ゴルフボール
JP4816847B2 (ja) * 2001-05-23 2011-11-16 ブリヂストンスポーツ株式会社 マルチピースソリッドゴルフボール
JP2003000760A (ja) * 2001-06-19 2003-01-07 Bridgestone Sports Co Ltd ゴルフボール
JP2003000759A (ja) * 2001-06-19 2003-01-07 Bridgestone Sports Co Ltd ゴルフボール
JP2003000761A (ja) * 2001-06-19 2003-01-07 Bridgestone Sports Co Ltd ゴルフボール
JP2003180872A (ja) 2001-12-17 2003-07-02 Bridgestone Sports Co Ltd マルチピースゴルフボール
US7384351B2 (en) * 2005-11-22 2008-06-10 Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd. Golf ball

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2820060B2 (ja) * 1995-03-06 1998-11-05 ブリヂストンスポーツ株式会社 ゴルフボール
JP2886804B2 (ja) * 1995-05-29 1999-04-26 ブリヂストンスポーツ株式会社 糸巻きゴルフボール
JPH09164224A (ja) * 1995-10-11 1997-06-24 Sumitomo Rubber Ind Ltd ソリッドゴルフボール

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
None

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1191981A1 (fr) * 1999-06-08 2002-04-03 Dunlop Maxfli Sports Corporation Balle de golf possedant trois types d'alveoles
EP1191981A4 (fr) * 1999-06-08 2006-02-22 Dunlop Sports Group Americas I Balle de golf possedant trois types d'alveoles
US6726579B2 (en) 2001-10-31 2004-04-27 Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd. Multi-piece solid golf ball
US7148290B2 (en) 2001-11-20 2006-12-12 Sri Sports Limited Rubber composition for golf ball
US6843735B2 (en) 2002-02-27 2005-01-18 Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd. Golf ball
US6852045B2 (en) 2002-03-28 2005-02-08 Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd. Golf ball
US6910975B2 (en) 2002-08-12 2005-06-28 Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd. Golf ball

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0897732B1 (fr) 2008-12-31
JPH1157067A (ja) 1999-03-02
DE69840396D1 (de) 2009-02-12
EP0897732A3 (fr) 2001-06-06

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