EP1084736A1 - Uniformly weighted golf ball - Google Patents
Uniformly weighted golf ball Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP1084736A1 EP1084736A1 EP00118668A EP00118668A EP1084736A1 EP 1084736 A1 EP1084736 A1 EP 1084736A1 EP 00118668 A EP00118668 A EP 00118668A EP 00118668 A EP00118668 A EP 00118668A EP 1084736 A1 EP1084736 A1 EP 1084736A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- core
- golf ball
- density
- ball
- layers
- 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.)
- Withdrawn
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Images
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
- A63B37/005—Cores
- A63B37/006—Physical properties
- A63B37/0066—Density; Specific gravity
Definitions
- golf balls are manufactured using various materials for cores, inner cores, outer covers and covers. These materials are each of a different density and thus, if they are not perfectly centered about one another, there can be a heavy side and a light side to the ball. If a straight line is drawn between the light and heavy points in a golf ball, and this line is parallel to the desired direction of travel, then when striking the ball towards the target, the ball's travel will be true and straight to the target. If this imaginary line is perpendicular to the target and the ball is struck towards that target, then the ball's travel will veer slightly in the direction of the heavy side of the ball.
- the golf ball core thus formed is centerless ground to achieve near perfect roundness.
- This is usually done by using retractable steel pins in the mold.
- the extremely high injection pressure and viscosity of the cover material creates very high pressures on the core and even with steel pins, movement is almost impossible to avoid.
- cover thickness 0.005 inches to 0.020 inches from one side of the ball to another.
- a standard inspection method in golf ball production is to x-ray or cross section balls to note differences in cover thickness. This produces a heavy side and a light side to the ball with the attendant disadvantages mentioned above.
- This invention involves: (1) making one or more covering layers of the golf ball of the same density as the "standard" core material (1.18gm/cc) ⁇ resulting in a ball that is heavier than the standard, but weight balanced; (2) making the cover heavier and the core lighter (for example, both 1.13gm/cc) ⁇ resulting in a ball of the desired weight and properly weight balanced; and (3) making the core lighter, matching the density of a typical cover material (0.99gm/cc) resulting in a ball that is lighter than the standard, but properly weight balanced.
- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a conventional golf ball.
- Figure 2 is a cross section of a conventional golf ball in which the core 10 and the outer layer 11 are perfectly centered.
- Figure 3 is a cross section of a typical golf ball in which the core 10 has an outer layer 11 which is thicker on the right side of the core than the left side.
- Figure 4 is a multi-layer golf ball wherein the layers 11 and 12 are thicker on the right side than on the left side.
- Applicant's invention preferably involves making the density of the core material and the density of the cover materials the same.
- the initial layer and each succeeding layer can be constructed of suitable materials that have been formulated with constituents that bring the density of the layer to exactly match the 1.13 gm/cc of the core. In this manner, assuming the finished ball is perfectly spherical, it is not critical that the cover and core be concentric since the ball will always be perfectly balanced.
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- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
- Compositions Of Macromolecular Compounds (AREA)
Abstract
A golf ball in which the density of the core (10) and the density of the cover (11) materials
are essentially identical.
Description
- At the present time, golf balls are manufactured using various materials for cores, inner cores, outer covers and covers. These materials are each of a different density and thus, if they are not perfectly centered about one another, there can be a heavy side and a light side to the ball. If a straight line is drawn between the light and heavy points in a golf ball, and this line is parallel to the desired direction of travel, then when striking the ball towards the target, the ball's travel will be true and straight to the target. If this imaginary line is perpendicular to the target and the ball is struck towards that target, then the ball's travel will veer slightly in the direction of the heavy side of the ball.
- Golf balls currently are usually made of a core comprised of polybutadiene and a zinc monomer material with a total typical density of 1.18 grams per cubic centimeter. The golf ball core thus formed is centerless ground to achieve near perfect roundness. The next is the most difficult step and that is to center this core in the final mold and keep it centered while the cover material is injection molded around the core. This is usually done by using retractable steel pins in the mold. The extremely high injection pressure and viscosity of the cover material creates very high pressures on the core and even with steel pins, movement is almost impossible to avoid. Thus, it is not unusual to see differences of cover thickness of 0.005 inches to 0.020 inches from one side of the ball to another. In fact a standard inspection method in golf ball production is to x-ray or cross section balls to note differences in cover thickness. This produces a heavy side and a light side to the ball with the attendant disadvantages mentioned above.
- Low-cost, one-piece balls have long been manufactured for driving ranges and these are thought to be weight balanced. However, compromises are made to the material of construction and thus the balls distance performance and "feel" is generally recognized as inferior. Because of the poor performance, these balls are not generally sold to the general public. Around the turn of the century, one piece balls were also manufactured but again their performance did not compete with multi-material constructed balls introduced later.
- This invention involves: (1) making one or more covering layers of the golf ball of the same density as the "standard" core material (1.18gm/cc) ― resulting in a ball that is heavier than the standard, but weight balanced; (2) making the cover heavier and the core lighter (for example, both 1.13gm/cc) ― resulting in a ball of the desired weight and properly weight balanced; and (3) making the core lighter, matching the density of a typical cover material (0.99gm/cc) resulting in a ball that is lighter than the standard, but properly weight balanced. Thus, if there are variations of thickness of the layer or layers of materials surrounding the core because of the difficulties of injection molding, such thickness differences will have no effect on the balance of the golf ball.
- It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a multi-layer golf ball which will have improved characteristics and it is a further object of this invention to provide a multi-layer golf ball which has uniform density throughout.
- This, together with other objects of the invention, will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention and the accompanying drawings.
-
- Figure 1. A perspective view of conventional golf ball.
- Figure 2. A cross section of a conventional golf ball in which the
core 10 and theouter layer 11 are perfectly centered. - Figure 3. A cross section of a typical golf ball in which the
core 10 has anouter layer 11 which is thicker on the right side of the core than the left side. - Figure 4. A cross section of a typical multi-layer golf ball in which the
core 10 hasouter layers -
- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a conventional golf ball. Figure 2 is a cross section of a conventional golf ball in which the
core 10 and theouter layer 11 are perfectly centered. Figure 3 is a cross section of a typical golf ball in which thecore 10 has anouter layer 11 which is thicker on the right side of the core than the left side. Figure 4 is a multi-layer golf ball wherein thelayers - Applicant's invention preferably involves making the density of the core material and the density of the cover materials the same. For example, utilizing a core having a density of 1.13 gm/cc, the initial layer and each succeeding layer can be constructed of suitable materials that have been formulated with constituents that bring the density of the layer to exactly match the 1.13 gm/cc of the core. In this manner, assuming the finished ball is perfectly spherical, it is not critical that the cover and core be concentric since the ball will always be perfectly balanced.
- Currently, golf balls with off center weight as a result of the difficulties of manufacturing are the norm. Applicant recently tested over 12 dozen balls from leading domestic manufacturers. There was not one ball that was perfectly centered. A putting robot was used and as many as 49 out of 50 twelve foot robotic putts missed the hole due to rolling off line caused by lack of weight centering. Based on the putting tests that had been concluded, it is projected that a 250 yard drive would be effected by as much as 36 feet deviation from the intended target.
- In contrast utilizing golf balls based on Applicant's invention and using a robotic putter at the same 12 foot distance, 43 out of 50 putts were sunk in the hole. Furthermore, it is reasonable to expect that similar results are to be realized using drivers and irons hitting balls a much greater distance.
- In addition, in manufacturing a golf ball according to Applicant's invention, it is not necessary to utilize the centerless grinding operation and this results in lower cost.
- While this invention has been shown and described with respect to a detailed embodiment thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail thereof may be made without departing from the scope of the claims of the invention.
Claims (5)
- A golf ball comprisinga spherical core,one or more layers of material completely covering said core
wherein the density of the core and the density of said one or more layers surrounding said core are essentially identical - The golf ball of Clam 1 wherein said core has been prepared by centerless grinding.
- The golf ball of Claim 1 wherein said core is a blend of polybutadiene and a zinc monomer.
- The golf ball of Claim 1 wherein said core is completely covered by at least one layer of a suitable material which contains density altering constituents so that its density is essentially identical to the density of said core.
- The golf ball of Claim 1 wherein said core is covered by one or more layers of a material selected from the group consisting of urethane, balata, and an ionomer resin or any combination of these materials, which have been modified with density altering constituents such that the density of the core, said one or more layers, and the complete ball will be essentially the same.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US38553299A | 1999-08-30 | 1999-08-30 | |
US385532 | 1999-08-30 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1084736A1 true EP1084736A1 (en) | 2001-03-21 |
Family
ID=23521802
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP00118668A Withdrawn EP1084736A1 (en) | 1999-08-30 | 2000-08-29 | Uniformly weighted golf ball |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP1084736A1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2001079117A (en) |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP1234601A2 (en) * | 2001-02-20 | 2002-08-28 | Carbite, Inc. | Uniformly weighted golf ball |
US6899639B2 (en) | 2002-08-22 | 2005-05-31 | Wilson Sporting Goods Co. | Two piece balanced golf ball |
US6916254B2 (en) * | 2003-01-02 | 2005-07-12 | Acushnet Company | Golf ball with small inner core |
US6945879B2 (en) | 2002-08-22 | 2005-09-20 | Wilson Sporting Goods Co. | Multi-layered balanced golf-ball |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP2003000762A (en) | 2001-06-21 | 2003-01-07 | Bridgestone Sports Co Ltd | Golf ball |
Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4274637A (en) * | 1979-01-31 | 1981-06-23 | Questor Corporation | Golf ball having cellular cover |
US5150906A (en) * | 1989-03-10 | 1992-09-29 | Lisco, Inc. | Multi-piece golf balls and methods of manufacture |
US5273286A (en) * | 1992-11-06 | 1993-12-28 | Sun Donald J C | Multiple concentric section golf ball |
-
2000
- 2000-08-29 EP EP00118668A patent/EP1084736A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2000-08-30 JP JP2000261501A patent/JP2001079117A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4274637A (en) * | 1979-01-31 | 1981-06-23 | Questor Corporation | Golf ball having cellular cover |
US5150906A (en) * | 1989-03-10 | 1992-09-29 | Lisco, Inc. | Multi-piece golf balls and methods of manufacture |
US5273286A (en) * | 1992-11-06 | 1993-12-28 | Sun Donald J C | Multiple concentric section golf ball |
Cited By (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP1234601A2 (en) * | 2001-02-20 | 2002-08-28 | Carbite, Inc. | Uniformly weighted golf ball |
EP1234601A3 (en) * | 2001-02-20 | 2003-06-25 | Carbite, Inc. | Uniformly weighted golf ball |
US6899639B2 (en) | 2002-08-22 | 2005-05-31 | Wilson Sporting Goods Co. | Two piece balanced golf ball |
US6945879B2 (en) | 2002-08-22 | 2005-09-20 | Wilson Sporting Goods Co. | Multi-layered balanced golf-ball |
US6916254B2 (en) * | 2003-01-02 | 2005-07-12 | Acushnet Company | Golf ball with small inner core |
US7001287B2 (en) | 2003-01-02 | 2006-02-21 | Acushnet Company | Golf ball with small inner core |
US7094160B2 (en) | 2003-01-02 | 2006-08-22 | Acushnet Company | Golf ball with small inner core |
US7195569B2 (en) | 2003-01-02 | 2007-03-27 | Acushnet Company | Golf ball with small inner core |
US7361103B2 (en) | 2003-01-02 | 2008-04-22 | Acushnet Company | Golf ball with small inner core |
US7537531B2 (en) | 2003-01-02 | 2009-05-26 | Acushnet Company | Golf ball with small inner core |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
JP2001079117A (en) | 2001-03-27 |
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Effective date: 20010427 |
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STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
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18D | Application deemed to be withdrawn |
Effective date: 20040302 |