US2085228A - Apparatus for filling golf ball cores, centers, and the like - Google Patents

Description

June 29, 1937.

J. M. OLDHAM APPARATUS FOR FILLING GOLF BALL CORES, CENTERS, AND'THE LIKE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 i I8 f 7 a Z z. 4 4 4 l1 4 14 Z 50 g l 55 44 g 4 g 25 g 4 54 I 34 I I" .m\ Z7 \z E V v ]7 INVENTOR. I I I Jo/20M 0/4/1027? BY 4 4n 644 444446442 ATTORNEYS June 29, 1937. OLDHAM 2,085,228

APPARATUS FOR FILLING GOLF BALL CORES, CENTERS, AND THE LIKE Original Filed Feb. 24, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 :[0/7/7 M QM/7am 5 M 6 ATTORNEYS n 29, 1937- I J. M. OLDHAM 2,085,228

APPARATUS FOR FILLING GOLF BALL CORES, CENTERS, AND THE LIKE Original Filed Feb. 24, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS Patented June 29, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE APPARATUS FOR FILLING GOLF BALL CORES, CENTERS, AND THE LIKE John M. Oldham, Detroit, Mich, assignor to Leonard A. Young, Detroit, Mich.

4 Claims.

This is a division of my application, Serial No. 712,781, filed February 24, 1934, for Apparatus and method of filling golf ball cores, centers or the like.

The main object of my invention is to provide improved means for filling golf ball cores, centers and the like.

Another object is to provide a machine or apparatus of this character which is simple and economical in its parts, and very efficient, and of large capacity in operation.

Objects relating to details and economies of my invention will appear from the description to follow. The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary vertical section of a machine for filling golf ball cores or centers embodying the features of my invention, taken on a line corresponding to line I-l of Fig. 2.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view, portions being broken away and shown in section at different levels.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary detail section taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 5, showing a core about to be filled through the hypodermic needle supporting it.

Fig.4 is a View similar to Fig. 3 with a somewhat diiferently formed core, the expansion of the core wall being indicated by the dotted line.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view in side elevation of a pump cylinder, showing a center in the act of being filled.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary top plan view of a cooling and cleaning apparatus which I employ in the present embodiment.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary top plan view of the conveyor for timing the conditioning of the cement applied to the cores.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary detail section taken on a line corresponding to line 8-8 of Fig. 7.

' Fig. 9 is a view in section of a patch which is applied to the cement on the core, the thickness of the patch being greatly exaggerated for purposes of illustration.

Fig. 10 is a top plan view of the core after the patch has been applied thereto.

Fig. 11 is a section taken on line |l-|l of Fig. 10 the thickness of the patch being exaggerated.

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary top plan view of the conveyor for holding the patches in place on the core for a predetermined time.

Fig. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse section taken on a line corresponding to line I3-I3 of Fig. 12.

In the embodiment of my invention illustrated in the drawings, numeral l indicates a table having an opening 2 in its top 3. On such table top, I mount a cam 4 having a vertical central bore 5 axially alined with the opening 2. A gas burner 6 is disposed under such opening, the supply of gas to the burner being controlled by a valve (not shown).

A rotor or turret indicated generally by the numeral 9 is disposed above the cam and has a central depending shaft or journal l0 journaled within the bore 5 thereof. The rotor or turret comprises a central fluid container ll provided with the cylindrical water jacket l2 having water circulating passages l3 and I4 extending to the bottom of the journal Ill. The hot water heater I5 is supported directly above the gas burner 6 by the hot and cold water pipes IE and i1 connected to the lower end of the journal H] for rotation therewith.

The water jacket I2 is provided with a water level indicator or gauge I 8 and a thermometer [9, the bulb of the latter being arranged in the upper end of the hot water pipe 20. The temperature of the fluid 2| in the container ll may thus be maintained at a substantially uniform temperature. The top of the container is closed by the removable conical cover 22. The temperature of the fluid, preferably buckwheat honey, is preferably maintained between and F. The water jacket I2 is provided with the vent 23 at its top.

In the illustrated embodiment, the rotor 9 is turned at a substantially uniform speed by a motor (not shown), the latter being connected to the journal ID by means including belt 29, pulley 30, a clutch (not shown), worm 32, and worm gear 33, the worm gear 33 being keyed to the journal In at 34. The clutch is normally closed and is adapted to be opened to stop the rotor by means of a foot pedal (not shown), the clutch being normally in closed position.

Around the rotor 9, I arrange an annular series of spaced vertical pump cylinders 38 for rotation therewith. The pump cylinders terminate at their lower ends in hypodermic needles 39 carried by the heads 40. Fluid passages 4| lead from the bottom of the container II to the cylinders 38, the outer ends of the fluid passages providing ports 42 in the cylinders adapted to be uncovered by the pistons 43 therein when the latter are retracted. In this case, the fluid flows into the cylinders below the pistons by gravity.

The pistons are actuated in their charging strokes by means of the weights 4d radially adjustable on the levers d5 pivoted at 46 to the top of the rotor and connected to the upper ends 5 of the pistons by links 31. With this arrange ment, the pistonsare advanced slowly but steadily and at a substantially uniform rate to inject a measured quantity of the fluid 2! into the ball centers or cores. The quantity of the fluid de- 0 livered by each charge is controlled by the ad justable stop 53 acting to limit the downward travel or charging stroke of the'piston 3.

The pistons are retracted by the vertically reciprocating cam followers 59 having rollers 56 at their lower ends resting on the cam 4, their upper ends being connected to the pistons for coaction with the stops 18 by means of the clamps 5|. The

cam 4 permits the pistons to complete a pumping or delivery cycle for each revolution of the rotor. 20 The pressure with which the fluid is injected intothe'centers is readily controlled by adjusting the radial position of the weights id.

For making golf ball cores, I prefer to use hollow imperforate elastic spheres 53 of rubber consisting of semi-spherical portions united by cement and/or vulcanization, as best illustrated by Fig. l, the sphere being conventionally illustrated. In Fig. 4, I show a modified form of sphere 5 which is made by placing a pair of rubber sheets in a form so that when a drop of water therebetween is heated by the heat of the vulcanization, steam is generated which expands the sheets into the form, the halves of the sphere thus formed being vulcanized together leaving an annular flash 56, considerablyexaggerate'd in the illustration. Inasmuch as both of these methods of forming the hollow rubber spheres'are old in the art, they need no further description by me. In either case, the hollow spheres 53 and 55. contain air or gas, and in the case of the sphere 54' a certain amount of moisture or water 55 is entrained therein.

In'- the first step of my method, an operator places the hollow "spheres or cores 53 on the hypodermic needles 39 at a station where the pistons are at or approaching their retracted position. The wall of the sphere is pierced by the needle, the friction between these parts being sufficient to hold the sphere in position while the same is being filled with fluid through the hypodermic needle with the wall of the sphere free to expand if it is desired to fill to expansion as indicated in Fig. 4. As the rotor turns, the Weight M acts to advance the piston 43 which injects the fluid 55 H, in this case honey, into the hollow sphere 53. The quantity'of the fluid charge is preferably such that itwill exactly fill the sphere 53 in its normalor unexpanded state.

The needle has a'chisel point and forms its own openingin the wall of the core as the latter isfor ced onto the needle, as shown in the drawings. The wall of the core grips the needle with sufficient friction to hold the core upon the needle while the filling is injected therein through the needle, and at the same time the air escapes around the needle, or when that does not occur the core is slightly expanded, as indicated in Fig.

4, which is likely to occur when water is present,

and when the needle is drawn the air and the water, which are lighter than the honey, escape through the-opening formed by the needle. However, with a measured quantity designed to exactly fill the 'coreythere does not appear to be any substantial expansion, which indicates that he air escapes around the needle as the core is filled. As no stock is removed, the tension of the walls effectively closes the opening, and as soon as the needle is withdrawn the tension of the walls efiectively prevents escape of the filling.

As stated, where water is present, as is the case when the core is formed by the method employing steam to expand the core material into the form, the water rises as the honey is discharged into the core and is discharged from the core when the needle is withdrawn, the incision, however, closing or being of such dimensions as to effectively prevent the escape of the filling material.

In Fig. 11, the needle incision 58 is shown definitely, but it is understood that in practice the elasticity and tension of the walls close the opening sufficiently to retain the fluid. However, to completely seal the fluid within the core so that it is not discharged during subsequent ball forming operations and under distortions and stresses in using the ball, this incision is covered by a patch 65.

After the cores have been filled with heated fluid, such as honey, as set forth above, they are placed on a foraminate tray 60, (Fig. 6) with the incision upward, and immersed in cold water in the tank El. The tank 6! is adapted to hold two of the trays so that each tray remains therein for a predetermined time. In this case, the right hand tray is removed and the left hand tray advanced to the right hand side of the tank leaving a space on the left hand side thereof for the new tray. The cold water not only cools the honey in the centers, but also acts to dissolve and clean off any surplus honey which might re-v main on the spheres in the vicinity of the needle incision. This is a very desirable andimportant feature of my invention. 1

After the filled cores have remained in the and rubber cement, as indicated at 62, isappliedthereto, (see Fig. 8), whereupon they are placed in the concave recesses or pockets 63 in the conveyor wheel 6d. The conveyor wheel 64 is'adapted to make one revolution every half hour so that the cement is given suflicient time to become properly conditioned to receive the patch 65. The patch is thin and preferably comprises a layer or sheet of rubber 66 backed or reinforced by the fabric layer or sheet 67. While the patch is preferably round, it is otherwise not preformed in any way and is substantially flat as illustrated by Fig. 9.

After the balls have traveled around with the conveyor wheel 64 one revolution, they are removed and a patch 65 is applied to the cement 62 thereon. This is preferably a manual operation;

the fabric backing 61 being on the outer side and the rubber layer 66 being on the inner side for coaction with the cement 62. show the patch in place, the thickness of the patch being conventionally shown in Fig. 11. 3

The filled cores are then placed in the concave recesses or pockets 68 of the conveyor wheel 69 under the concave form-fitting holders [0. The holders 19 are urged to hold the patches 65 in place by the leaf springs ll connecting them to the conveyor wheel 69 as illustrated by Figs. 12 and 13. The wheel 69 is adapted to turn one revolution in every twenty minutes, thereby giving the cement 62 sumcient time to set and seal the patch 65 to the exterior surface of the sphere. Thus, when the cores are removed from the wheel 69, the needle incisionstherein are effectively sealed by Figs. 10 and 11.

the patches 65, the latter permanently conforming to the spherical shape thereof.

The cores thus formed are now ready to be Wound and/or covered in the usual manner. The cores are Well balanced thereby providing an accurate flight of the finished golf balls.

While I have described my invention in connection with the filling of golf ball centers with honey, it is to be understood that this is to be taken as a preferred example and not in a restrictive sense. My apparatus is very eflicient and effective for the purpose intended.

I have illustrated and described my improvements in an embodiment which I have found very practical. I have not attempted to illustrate or describe other embodiments or adaptations, as it is believed this disclosure will enable those skilled in the art to embody or adapt my improvements as may be desired.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A machine for filling golf ball centers and the like, comprising in combination, a table having an opening in its top, a cam mounted on said table top and having a vertical bore alined with said opening, a gas burner disposed under said opening, a rotor disposed above said cam and having a journal disposed in said bore, a central Water jacketed fluid container having circulating passages extending to the bottom of said journal, at hot water heater supported for rotation with the rotor above said gas burner by pipes connected to said circulating passages, an annular series of pump cylinders arranged on said rotor around said fluid container and provided at their lower ends with hypodermic discharge needles, fluid passages leading from the bottom of said fluid container to said cylinders, pistons in said pump cylinders, means for actuating said pistons including pivoted levers, links connecting the pistons to the levers, and adjustable weights on said levers, means for retracting said pistons including cam followers coacting with said cam, means for controlling the quantity of the fluid charges comprising adjustable means for limiting the charging strokes of the pistons, and means for rotating said rotor about its vertical axis.

2. A machine for filling golf ball centers and the like, comprising in combination, a rotor having a depending shaft, a central water jacketed fluid container having water circulating passages in said shaft, a hot water heater supported for rotation with the rotor by pipes connected to said passages, an annular series of pump cylinders arranged on said rotor around said fluid container and provided at their lower ends with discharge means, fluid passages leading from said fluid container to said cylinders, pistons in said pump cylinders, and means for actuating and retracting said pistons as the rotor turns.

3. A machine for filling golf ball centers and the like, comprising in combination,atablehaving an opening in its top, a camv mounted on said table top and having a vertical bore alined with said opening, a rotor disposed above said cam and having a journal disposed in said bore, a central fluid container, an annular series of pump cylinders arranged on said rotor around said fluid container and provided at their lower ends with discharge needles, fluid passages leading from the bottom of said fluid container to said cylinders, pistons in said pump cylinders, means for actuating said pistons including pivoted levers, links connecting the pistons to the levers, and adjustable weights on said levers, means for retracting said pistons including cam followers coacting with said cam, means for controlling the quantity of the fluid charges comprising adjustable means for limiting the charging strokes of the pistons, means for rotating said rotor about its vertical axis, and means including a water jacket surrounding said central fluid container for heating the fluid in the central container.

4. A machine for filling golf ball centers and the like, comprising in combination, a table having an opening in its top, a cam mounted on said table top and having a vertical bore alined with said opening, a rotor disposed above said cam and having a journal disposed in said bore, a central fluid container, an annular series of pump cylinders arranged on said rotor around said fluid container and provided at their lower ends with discharge needles, fluid passages leading from the bottom of said fluid container to said cylinders, pistons in said pump cylinders, means for actuating said pistons including pivoted levers, links connecting the pistons to the levers, and adjustable weights on said levers, means for retracting said pistons including cam followers coacting with said cam, means for controlling the quantity of the fluid charges comprising adjustable means for limiting the charging strokes of the pistons, means for rotating said rotor about its vertical axis, and means for heating the fluid in the central container.

JOHN M. OLDHAM.

Images