US3119622A - Golf balls - Google Patents
Golf balls Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US3119622A US3119622A US66411A US6641160A US3119622A US 3119622 A US3119622 A US 3119622A US 66411 A US66411 A US 66411A US 6641160 A US6641160 A US 6641160A US 3119622 A US3119622 A US 3119622A
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- ball
- rubber
- balls
- thread
- golf
- 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.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
- 229920003211 cis-1,4-polyisoprene Polymers 0.000 claims description 8
- 238000004804 winding Methods 0.000 claims description 8
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 244000043261 Hevea brasiliensis Species 0.000 description 11
- 229920003052 natural elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 11
- 229920001194 natural rubber Polymers 0.000 description 11
- 229920001971 elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 7
- 239000005060 rubber Substances 0.000 description 7
- 229920001084 poly(chloroprene) Polymers 0.000 description 5
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 3
- 229920001195 polyisoprene Polymers 0.000 description 3
- 229920003051 synthetic elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 3
- 239000005061 synthetic rubber Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000013461 design Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229920003225 polyurethane elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 102000004169 proteins and genes Human genes 0.000 description 2
- 108090000623 proteins and genes Proteins 0.000 description 2
- 239000000344 soap Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920003048 styrene butadiene rubber Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 229920002994 synthetic fiber Polymers 0.000 description 2
- VETPHHXZEJAYOB-UHFFFAOYSA-N 1-n,4-n-dinaphthalen-2-ylbenzene-1,4-diamine Chemical compound C1=CC=CC2=CC(NC=3C=CC(NC=4C=C5C=CC=CC5=CC=4)=CC=3)=CC=C21 VETPHHXZEJAYOB-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- RRHGJUQNOFWUDK-UHFFFAOYSA-N Isoprene Natural products CC(=C)C=C RRHGJUQNOFWUDK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000002174 Styrene-butadiene Substances 0.000 description 1
- NINIDFKCEFEMDL-UHFFFAOYSA-N Sulfur Chemical compound [S] NINIDFKCEFEMDL-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000005864 Sulphur Substances 0.000 description 1
- RCLNJBOMKAYJLR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aniline;heptanal Chemical compound NC1=CC=CC=C1.CCCCCCC=O RCLNJBOMKAYJLR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000007795 chemical reaction product Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002270 dispersing agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000007720 emulsion polymerization reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000002474 experimental method Methods 0.000 description 1
- PCHJSUWPFVWCPO-UHFFFAOYSA-N gold Chemical compound [Au] PCHJSUWPFVWCPO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000010931 gold Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052737 gold Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000004615 ingredient Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920003049 isoprene rubber Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 238000006116 polymerization reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000047 product Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000010057 rubber processing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002904 solvent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012360 testing method Methods 0.000 description 1
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
- A63B37/007—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
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10S273/00—Amusement devices: games
- Y10S273/10—Butadiene
Definitions
- golf balls are manufactured by winding a 100%Y natural rubber thread around a center until the desired diameter is reached. These tightly wound cores ⁇ are then surrounded by a tough cover, said cover having the characteristic gol-f ball cover designs impressed on it to produce the ycompleted ball. Under specic conditions of center size and type, winding tension, thread size, and cover thickness and design, a ball is produced that has certain specic playing characteristics. Important among these playing characteristics are llight and rebound. Skilled golfers also desire what is known in the art as good click and feel. These rather intangible ⁇ characteristics of a golf ball are best evaluated by having a highly skilled 'golfer hit the ball and observe the sound and feel.
- a good ball gives a loud sharp clear sound when hit a solid blow with a golf club, for example, a driver. Furthermore, when the bal-l is hit, the golfe-r feels the blow through his hands as they tightly grip the club. Some balls feel heavy and dead as though they take la long time to leave the club after initial contact between the club and ball. Better balls feel lively as though they get away Ifrom the club quickly.
- the rebound of a lgol-f ball is evaluated simply by dropping the ball onto a hard surface from a height of 100 inches and observing the height of rebound on the iirst bounce. Depending on the components of the ball, the rebound may vary from 60", or less, to as much as about 72".
- Flight is evaluated by hitting the ball a standard blow with a machine which drives the ball any ⁇ desired distance usually adjusted by varying the blow to give a distance and trajectory about like that obtained when a skilled golfer drives a good grade of ball.
- My invention provides a golf ball having improved rebound, flight, click and feel.
- My invention will provide the golfer with a more responsive ball, one that will enable him to improve his score and increase his satisfaction from the sport.
- This object which will be apparent to those familiar with golfing, may be accomplished by making a ygolf ball from rubbery threads or strands composed of synthetic cis-1, 4-polyisoprene.
- compositions as shown below were compounded, mixed, and cured using standard rubber equipment and standard rubber processing techniques. Quantities are in parts by weight.
- Example 2 Com- Compound #l pound #3 Average rebound. inches.. 70. 7 i 72.6
- Synthetic cis-1, 4-polyisoprene imparts substantially longer ilight and higher rebound, as well as improved click and feel to those golf balls made -with rubber thread containing it.
- the synthetic cis-1, 4-polyisoprene which is used as a principal ingredient in the golf balls described -in this invention is produced by known techniques.
- the material used was Shell Isoprene Rubber, which is, at the present time, the ⁇ only commercial source of this material. It is believed that this material is made by solvent polymerization and should have from about 85% to about 97% content of isoprene radicals joined in the cis-configuration and preferably 90-95%.
- a golf ball construction including a center, a layer of thread winding, and a cover, the novel lfeature of said construction being wherein said thread winding comprises at least 20% by weight of synthetic cis-1, 4-polyisoprene.
- a golf ball comprised of a resilient core, a layer of thread winding, and a cover wherein the thread winding is comprised of a blend of ifrom 50 to 80 parts by weight of natural rubber and correspondingly from 50 to 20 parts by weight of synthetic cis-1, 4-polyisoprene.
Landscapes
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
- Compositions Of Macromolecular Compounds (AREA)
Description
Jan. 28, 1964 F. R. wElGl-:RT -3,119,622.
GOLF BALLS Filed Nov. 1, 1960 INVENTOR.
ATTORNEY United States Patent O 3,119,622 GGLF BALLS Frank R. Weigert, Warwick, Rl., assigner to United States Rubber Company, New York, NX., a corporation of New Jersey Filed Nov. 1, 19E-0, Ser. No. 66,411 Z Claims. (Cl. 2,73-227) This invention relates to improved gol-f balls.
In normal practice, golf balls are manufactured by winding a 100%Y natural rubber thread around a center until the desired diameter is reached. These tightly wound cores `are then surrounded by a tough cover, said cover having the characteristic gol-f ball cover designs impressed on it to produce the ycompleted ball. Under specic conditions of center size and type, winding tension, thread size, and cover thickness and design, a ball is produced that has certain specic playing characteristics. Important among these playing characteristics are llight and rebound. Skilled golfers also desire what is known in the art as good click and feel. These rather intangible `characteristics of a golf ball are best evaluated by having a highly skilled 'golfer hit the ball and observe the sound and feel. A good ball gives a loud sharp clear sound when hit a solid blow with a golf club, for example, a driver. Furthermore, when the bal-l is hit, the golfe-r feels the blow through his hands as they tightly grip the club. Some balls feel heavy and dead as though they take la long time to leave the club after initial contact between the club and ball. Better balls feel lively as though they get away Ifrom the club quickly.
The rebound of a lgol-f ball is evaluated simply by dropping the ball onto a hard surface from a height of 100 inches and observing the height of rebound on the iirst bounce. Depending on the components of the ball, the rebound may vary from 60", or less, to as much as about 72".
Flight is evaluated by hitting the ball a standard blow with a machine which drives the ball any `desired distance usually adjusted by varying the blow to give a distance and trajectory about like that obtained when a skilled golfer drives a good grade of ball.
Those skilled in the art have for many years tried to improve simultaneously the ight, rebound, Iclick and feel of golf balls. Heretofore, best results were obtained by using the best quality natural rubber thread. The other components of the ball, fo-r example, the cent-er type and size as well as the cover composition and thickness can affect the playing qualities of the ball, but a prime factor is the thread.
Since natural rubber is at best of variable quality, makers of `golf balls have for many years tried to iind synthetic materials to use in the golf ball, and thus obtain a more uniform and improved product. All these attempts, insofar as the center of rubbery strands is concerned, have been singularly unsuccessful. lSynthetic rubber of many kinds, as for example, polychloroprene rubber (neoprene), styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR types) and polyurethane rubbers have been tried, and the results were always :an unsatisfactory ball. At one time when natural rubber was unavailable, some balls were rnade with neoprene (polychloroprene) and marketed. However, as soon as natural rubber again became available, the balls containing neoprene were unacceptable to the golfers.
This same unsatisfactory result was obtained whether the synthetic rubber was used alone or `as a blend with natural rubber in making the thread for the golf ball. In view of all this previous experience, it was indeed surprising and completely unexpected to lind that excep- Fice tionally [good golf balls were obtained when made with thread containing synthetic cis-1, 4 polyisoprene rubber.
The :failure lof previous synthetic rubber has been variously 4attributed to soaps and :dispersing agents used in emulsion polymerization, lack of the natural proteins ffound in natural rubber, or the different colloidal structure of the synthetic rubber. While these and other lines of reasoning have been offered, they are not conclusive in explaining why natural rubber makes a good `golf ball and synthetic materials do not. 'For example, the soaps are not present in the polyurethane rubbers and removal of protein does not make natural rubber produce poor golf balls. Therefore it is clear that those otherwise skilled in the art of making golf balls can-not predict in advance what kind of thread will or will not make a good golf ball. In view of the present state of the art, we cannot explain just why we should obtain a ball having exceptional qualities by using even relatively :moderate amounts of synthetic cis-1, -4 polyisoprene rubber in the thread.
It is the object of my invention to provide a gold ball having improved playing characteristics in comparison with convention-al ygolf balls. My invention provides a golf ball having improved rebound, flight, click and feel. My invention will provide the golfer with a more responsive ball, one that will enable him to improve his score and increase his satisfaction from the sport. This object, which will be apparent to those familiar with golfing, may be accomplished by making a ygolf ball from rubbery threads or strands composed of synthetic cis-1, 4-polyisoprene.
Compositions as shown below were compounded, mixed, and cured using standard rubber equipment and standard rubber processing techniques. Quantities are in parts by weight.
#l Ribbed Smoked Sheets-. 100. 00 65.00 65.00 Synthetic cis-polyisoprene 35. 00 35. 00 Sulphur 5.33 5. 33 4. 50 Di-beta-naphthyl-p-phenylenediamine 0. 25 0. 25 O. 25 Diphenylg'uanidine 0. 20 0.20 0. 2O Heptaldehyde-aniline reaction product 0.20 0.20 N-cyclohexyl-2-benzothiazole sulphenarnide... 2. 50
Example 1 Corn- Gompound #1 pound #2 Average rebound inehes.- 7l. 77 i 74. 23
' do 2. 46 Average flight. yards.. 221. O4 l 224. 02
Dflerence do 2. l93
Example 2 Com- Compound #l pound #3 Average rebound. inches.. 70. 7 i 72.6
Diference d0 l. Average flight yai'ds.. 214. 6 218. 3
Difference do 3l.
Example 3 Com- Compound #l pound #3 Average rebound.. 70.9 i 72.2
Difference. do 1. Average flight. 217. 2 I 220. 5
Diierence do 3l.
These tests indicate `that a ball having a thread winding comprised of about 20-50 :parts by weight of synthetic cis-1, 4polyisoprene blended 'with correspondingly 80-50 parts of natural rubber is suitable.
Average differences in the order of 1 yd. in flight and 1 in rebound are considered to be statistically signicant diferences in experiments of this type. Samples of the balls containing cis-polyisoprene have been extensively evaluated by -a nationally known golf professional who is unqualified in his opinion that these balls provide the golfer with substantially improved click and feel as well as increased driving distance.
Synthetic cis-1, 4-polyisoprene imparts substantially longer ilight and higher rebound, as well as improved click and feel to those golf balls made -with rubber thread containing it. The synthetic cis-1, 4-polyisoprene which is used as a principal ingredient in the golf balls described -in this invention is produced by known techniques. The material used was Shell Isoprene Rubber, which is, at the present time, the `only commercial source of this material. It is believed that this material is made by solvent polymerization and should have from about 85% to about 97% content of isoprene radicals joined in the cis-configuration and preferably 90-95%.
Having thus `described my invention, what I claim and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:
1. A golf ball construction including a center, a layer of thread winding, and a cover, the novel lfeature of said construction being wherein said thread winding comprises at least 20% by weight of synthetic cis-1, 4-polyisoprene.
2. A golf ball comprised of a resilient core, a layer of thread winding, and a cover wherein the thread winding is comprised of a blend of ifrom 50 to 80 parts by weight of natural rubber and correspondingly from 50 to 20 parts by weight of synthetic cis-1, 4-polyisoprene.
References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Diem et al. Nov. 17, 1959 Stearns Aug. 2, 1960 OTHER REFERENCES
Claims (1)
1. A GOLF BALL CONSTRUCTION INCLUDING A CENTER, A LAYER OF THREAD WINDLING, AND A COVER, THE NOVEL FEATURE OF SAID CONSTRUCTION BEING WHEREIN SAID THREAD WINDING COMPRISES AT LEAST 20% BY WEIGHT OF SYNTHETIC CIS-1, 4-POLYISOPRENE.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US66411A US3119622A (en) | 1960-11-01 | 1960-11-01 | Golf balls |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US66411A US3119622A (en) | 1960-11-01 | 1960-11-01 | Golf balls |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US3119622A true US3119622A (en) | 1964-01-28 |
Family
ID=22069337
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US66411A Expired - Lifetime US3119622A (en) | 1960-11-01 | 1960-11-01 | Golf balls |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US3119622A (en) |
Cited By (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3313545A (en) * | 1963-09-12 | 1967-04-11 | Pcr Patent Dev Corp | Unitary molded golf ball |
US3452986A (en) * | 1966-05-13 | 1969-07-01 | Eagle Rubber Co Inc | Ball of masticated,vulcanized cis-1,4 polyisoprene and manufacture thereof |
US3534965A (en) * | 1966-07-22 | 1970-10-20 | Dunlop Co Ltd | Play balls |
US4353557A (en) * | 1979-03-16 | 1982-10-12 | Bridgestone Tire Company, Limited | Golf ball |
US5340112A (en) * | 1992-04-28 | 1994-08-23 | Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd. | Thread wound golf ball |
US6607453B1 (en) | 2000-07-05 | 2003-08-19 | Acushnet Company | Golf balls with a fused wound layer and a method for forming such balls |
US6712716B2 (en) | 1999-03-12 | 2004-03-30 | Acushnet Company | Multilayer golf ball with wound intermediate layer |
WO2021046056A1 (en) | 2019-09-06 | 2021-03-11 | Kelley Peregoy | Golf ball comprising a lightweight core |
Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2913444A (en) * | 1956-01-09 | 1959-11-17 | Goodrich Co B F | Process for polymerizing conjugated diolefins using a mixture of metallic lithium and alkyl lithium as the catalyst |
US2947737A (en) * | 1956-02-08 | 1960-08-02 | Firestone Tire & Rubber Co | Polymerization of conjugated diolefines with a catalyst comprising metallic lithium dispersed in a crystalline salt |
-
1960
- 1960-11-01 US US66411A patent/US3119622A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Patent Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2913444A (en) * | 1956-01-09 | 1959-11-17 | Goodrich Co B F | Process for polymerizing conjugated diolefins using a mixture of metallic lithium and alkyl lithium as the catalyst |
US2947737A (en) * | 1956-02-08 | 1960-08-02 | Firestone Tire & Rubber Co | Polymerization of conjugated diolefines with a catalyst comprising metallic lithium dispersed in a crystalline salt |
Cited By (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3313545A (en) * | 1963-09-12 | 1967-04-11 | Pcr Patent Dev Corp | Unitary molded golf ball |
US3452986A (en) * | 1966-05-13 | 1969-07-01 | Eagle Rubber Co Inc | Ball of masticated,vulcanized cis-1,4 polyisoprene and manufacture thereof |
US3534965A (en) * | 1966-07-22 | 1970-10-20 | Dunlop Co Ltd | Play balls |
US4353557A (en) * | 1979-03-16 | 1982-10-12 | Bridgestone Tire Company, Limited | Golf ball |
US5340112A (en) * | 1992-04-28 | 1994-08-23 | Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd. | Thread wound golf ball |
US6712716B2 (en) | 1999-03-12 | 2004-03-30 | Acushnet Company | Multilayer golf ball with wound intermediate layer |
US6607453B1 (en) | 2000-07-05 | 2003-08-19 | Acushnet Company | Golf balls with a fused wound layer and a method for forming such balls |
WO2021046056A1 (en) | 2019-09-06 | 2021-03-11 | Kelley Peregoy | Golf ball comprising a lightweight core |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: ROYAL GOLF CORPORATION G-3084 EAST HEMPHILL BURTON Free format text: RELEASED BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNOR:NATIONAL ACCEPTANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA;REEL/FRAME:004024/0283 Effective date: 19820728 |