US697423A - Manufacture of golf-balls. - Google Patents

Description

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UNrrnD STATES PATENT Current.

ELEAZER KEMPSHALL, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO THE KEMISI-IALLMANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NElV JERSEY.

MANUFACTURE oF GOLF-BALLS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 697,423, dated April 8, 1902.

Application filed February 111, 1902. Serial No. 94,006. (No model.)

T0 all whom it nwty concern.-

Be it known that I, ELEAZER KEMPSHALL, a citizen of the United States, residing in Boston, in the county of Su (folk and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Manufacture of Golf- Balls, of which the following is aspeciication.

This invention relates to balls such as used in golf and cert-ain other games.

In my pending application filed September 27, 1901, Serial No. 76,814, is illustrated a ball constructed with a relatively hard or stiff but springy shell, which is filled with an elastic substance that is held under compression by the shell, whereby the latter is supported against distortion. produced bya blow, the

constant elastic outward pressure of the core tending to maintain the shell in spherical shape and cooperating with the natural springiness of the shell to enhance the efficiency of the ball. In another pending application tiled September 30, 1901, Serial No.

76,951, the relatively soft material of the core is first provided with a jacket bywinding twine layer over layer around the same, the ball thus preliminarily formed being oversize, the shell-segments being then placed over such ball and the whole subjected to compression under the action of the heat, so as to enable the shell to contract more readily to its finished size. In still another pending application tiled November 8, 1901, Serial No. 81,565, Ishow the inner core provided with a firmly iitting tension envelop, which compresses the core, prevents the material of which the nucleus is com posed from escaping between the edges of the projecting shell-segments as they are compressed thereover, and also possesses qualities which increase the elasticity and eectiveness of the finished ball. Y

My present improvements relate chietly to an improvement in the cover of the ball, whereby the same is rendered more efficient and durable.

In the drawings accompanying and forming part of this specification, Figure' 1 is a view, partly broken away, of a ball made in accordance with my present improvements. Fig. 2 is a view of a jacketed .inner ball incased with incompletely-cured celluloid. Fig. 3 illustrates a method of compressing a shell upon a ball, and Fig. 4 is a viewof an elastic core.

Similar parts are designated by similar characters of reference in the several drawings.

The shell (designated at A, Fig. 1) may consist of celluloid, while the nucleus or core B may consist of any suitable material, such as rubber of suitable consistency or guttapercha; but preferably I form the core in this instance by winding rubber threads into the form of a ball, a's at C, Fig. 4. I inclose this core in an envelop consisting of one or more layers of elastic belting D, which may be woven of a suitable width-say three-quarters of an inch-or may be produced by cutting elastic webbing or fabric into strips. This elastic belting I put under tension While winding it around the core, so that it iirmly tits and compresses the core, whatever may be the substance or form of the latter, although the elastic beltin g is especially effective when the core is of the kind illustrated at Fig. 4. Acharacteristic of elastic belting when used for this purpose is that it draws right down into a spherical form or clings closely for its entire width'to the core, thus not only holding vthe same under compression, but also making a practically smooth and uniform jacket or blanket around the latter. In its original shape the core is substantially round, although it may depart from the spherical form within the scope of the invention; but I prefer that its bulk shall be a little too large for the inal capacity of the shell.

Upon the belted core I place a cover of partially-cu red celluloid, preferably in the form of hemispherical blanks E and F, which may be stuck upon the core by means of a solution of celluloid. The preliminary ball thus formed and seen at Fig. 2 I inclose in hemispherical segments A' and A2, Fig. 3. The parts thus assembled are placed between forming-dies-as, for instance, G and H whereupon the latter are pressed together. The dies may be heated, so as to bring the material of the shell into suitable condition and consistency both for uniting the portions thereof and also for facilitating the compress- IOO ing and shaping action of the dies. Thedies may be allowed to cool before the balls are taken out, so as to give the shells an opportunity to reharden, whereby theyarc enabled to retain their shape when removed. The abutting edges of the outer segments at A3 may be made somewhat full, thereby to furnish material for properly forming the joint between them as they are subjected to the final compression. The fibrous portion of the jacket serves to prevent the heat of the dies from escaping into the core, whereby injury of the latter is prevented and whereby also the shells maybe united without the employment of an undue amount. of heat.

It will be understood that the layers of the shell are compressed between the dies and the resisting mass of the ball contained therein, and since said core is first prepared somewhat oversize the resistance thereof while under such compression furnishes a substantial support for sustaining the relativelyT thin shell against any desired pressure. The application of celluloid solution to the jacket of elastic belting permeates the fibers of the latter, so that it becomes at the finishingoperation firmly incorporated with the shell.

By the expedient of lining the outer shell layer with incom pletely-cu red celluloid I am enabled to employ for said outer layer celluloid which is highly seasoned, and hence tough, durable, and well tempered, these qualities being enhanced because of the thinness of said layer, while the solvent present in the semicured lining is sufficient at the heating and compressing operation to permeate the outer shell and renderthe same plastic, the layers of celluloid adhering or welding together and becoming closely compacted under pressure. In the finished shell the qualities of the thin and well-cured layer A are present, while the shell is also of sufficient thickness to enable it to fulfil the requirements of the ball. The layer E F not only aids in the molding of the outer layer, but also, by reason of its greater plasticity, serves to compensate for local irregularities in the form of both the outer shell and the inner ball, thinning out at points where the inner ball is close to the outer shell and also filling up any cavities that may be present, thus thoroughly uniting the outer shell layer 0 ltlhe core and improving the qualit-ies of the By reason of its elasticity the core coperates with the springy shell, so as to restore the latter instantly to its normal shape after distortion by a blow. The efficiency of the filling for this purpose is greatly enhanced by having it constantly undercompression, since the expansive pressure thereof in all directions tends constantly to maintain a spherical shape of the shell.

From the foregoing it will be seen thatthe finished ball comprises a relatively soft clas` tic core, a relatively hard springy laminated shell, and an intermediate layer of tensioned elastic belting or fabric. This layer, it will be seen, forms a fibrous reinforcement for the shell itself and is of great value, since the force of a blow is diffused, and hence the ball is generally altered from its true spherical shape, whereby the elasticityof the core acts over a large area with greatly-increased. effectiveness. The usual tendency of a. shell, especially when the latter is made of thin celluloid, is to dent in sharply, thus affecting only the part of the core which is right behind the area of impact and affecting onlya small portion of the core, so that only this small portion of the core is effective in returning the shell to its original shape, whereas by placing a jacket of elastic fabric under tension over the core sharp indentation of the shell is prevented, since if the jacket is pushed inwardly anywhere a large area thereof is, owing to its longitudinal tension, necessarily affected and dragged inwardly to a slight extent, so that instead of a deep indentation being produced in the core over a small area the latter is slightly flattened over a large area, and thereby the entire shape of the core as well as the shell is a little distorted, and in consequence the whole energyof the imprisoned mass added to the natural resiliency of the elastic belting is called upon and the ball is restored instantly to its normal position. Moreover, said elastic belting to a material extent relieves the shell from the stress due to the outward or expanding pressu re ofthe compressed elastic core,so that the shell is less liable to deteriorate or crack and its life is greatly prolonged. In this connection it will be perceived that the compression of the inner ball at the finishing operation does not materially reduce the longitudinal tension of the elastic belting at any part, so that the same is effective to restrain the core after the ball is finished. Thus it will be seen that the elastic fabric forms an excellent backing or base for the shell and that the extra plastic lining-blanks E and F serve to compensate for the irregularities of the belted core, so that at all points the shell is effectually joined to the core or to the belting thereon.

In using the term celluloid I refer to celluloid or pyroxylin compounds generally and do not limit myself to any particular variety or grade or mixture.

The herein-described playing-ball is made the subject-matter of my pending application, Serial No. 89,800, filed January l5, 1902.

Other kinds of cores may be employed in connection with a celluloid shell having an extra plastic lining.

A ball-shell made of layers each of which is made in segments, the joints of the segments crossing, is made the subject-matter of my other pending application, Serial No. 88,410, filed January et, 1902.

Having described my invention, I claiml. A process in producing playing-balls, consisting in incasing a core or filling in a layer of incompletely cured celluloid, and

IOO

compressing a shell of highly seasoned or cured celluloid thereon.

2. A process in producing playing-balls, consisting in incasing a Core or filling With a shell consisting of a plurality of layers, at least one of said layers being incompletely- Cured celluloid, and at least one other of said layers inclosing said layer and Consisting ot' highly-seasoned Celluloid, and Causing said layers to unite or Weld by means of heat and compression. y

3. Aprocess in producing playing-balls,

consisting in incasing a springy core cr-iill-A ing within a shell consisting of a plurality of layers, at least one of said layers consisting of incompletely-Cured celluloid, and at least one other of said layers inclosing said layer and consisting of highly-seasoned celluloid, andv subjecting said layers to heat and compression suiiicient to join or Weld said layers and put saidcore or filling under compression.

1. A process iu producing playing-balls,

consisting in incasing a springy core or fillconsisting in cementing a layerof incomf" pletely-cured celluloid u ponia spriugy core or lling, inclosing the ball thus formed in a` shell Consisting partially or Wholly of highly.

seasoned celluloid, heating and compressing the ball thus formed, and Continuing the compression While the shell hardens.

6. A process in producing playing-balls, consisting in covering a core withv layers of celluloid and fabric; at least two layersof Celluloid being employed, and the outer layer thereof being more seasoned than the inner layer; subjecting the ball thus assembled to heat and compression; and continuing the compression While the shell hardens.

7. A process in producing playing-balls, consisting in covering a Core with previouslyformed layers of celluloid and causing said layers to join or weld under heat and compression.

8. A process in producing playing-balls, consisting incovering a springy Core with a layer of fabric and layers of Celluloid and causing all of said layers to unite under heat and compression.

9. A process in yproducing playing -balls, consisting in heating and compressing Wellcured and incompletely-cured celluloid upon a springy core and causing the compression to be continued While the shell hardens.

10. A process in producing playing-balls consisting in winding elastic belting upon a thus assembled to heat and compression;

a tensionedelastic jacket, and compressing heated layers of highly-seasoned and incompletely-cured celluloid thereon. 1 Y' 12. A process in producing playing-balls,

^ consisting in solidifyingunderheatandpres- -sure a-springy core, a tensioned elastic jacketl upon said core, and layers of celluloid incasconsisting in compressing inner and outer shell-segments over afilling previously prepared With a tensioued'elastic Compressionjacket.4

14. A process of producing playing-balls,

segments ot' highly-seasoned and incompletely-cured celluloid an elastic Core-having'a and forcingthe segments toge-theigicausing their edges to weld or adhere, and causing the shell to harden while'under compression. 15. A processin producing playing-balls, consisting in winding elastic belting under tension upon a springy core, inserting the ballthus formed in a laminated Celluloid shell, and subjecting-the whole to compression and heat.

16. A process in making the same with a Covering consisting of fabric andlayers of Celluloid, subjecting the whole -to heatfand compression, and continuing the vvcompression While theshell hardens.

17. A process in making playin g-balls, consisting in making a core of rubber, providing the same with a coveringconsisting of elastic belting and layers of celluloid, subjecting the Whole to heat and compression, and continuing the compression While the shell hardens.

18. A process in producing playin g-balls,

tension into the form of a ball, Winding elastic belting under tension upon said ball, inclosing the ball thus formed inlayers of inand subjecting the Whole to compression and heat. v

19. A process in producing playing-balls, consistingin incasing a `core or filling in a layer of incompletely-Cured celluloid, compressing segments of highly seasoned or cured together.

20.' A process in producing playing-balls, consisting in incasing acore or filling with a shell consisting of a plurality of layers, at least one of said layers being .in the form of segments of inCompletely-cured celluloid, and at least one other of said layers inclosing said 1l. A process in producing playing-balls, consistingin forming ahard,springy`core withconsisting-in inserting Within laminated shellcompression-jacket under tension, heating playing-balls, consisting in making a core of rubber, providing consisting in Winding rubber thread under.

completely-Cured and Well-cured celluloid,A

celluloid thereon and -Welding said segments j i layer and consisting of segments of highlyf spriugycore, cementing said belting, inclosing the beltedv Core in a shell Consisting of layers of celluloid, and subjecting the ball t ing said jacket. -"80' 13. A process in producing'playing-balls? IOO IIO

IIS

seasoned Celluloid, and Causin g all of said segments to Weld together by means of heat and compression, so as to form an entire shell.

2l. A process in producing playing-balls, consisting in incasing a springy core or filling within a shell Consisting of a plurality of layers, at least one of said layers consisting of incompletely-cured Celluloid, and at least one other of said layers inclosing said layer and consisting of segments of highly-seasoned Celluloid, subjecting said layers to heat and compression suflicient to join or weld said layers and Weld said segments at their edges and also put said Core or filling under compression, and maintaining the compression while the shell hardens.

22. Aprocess in producing playing-balls, Consisting in Cementing a layer of incompletely-Cured Celluloid upon a springy core or filling, inclosing the ball thus formed in segments consisting partially or wholly of highlyseasoned Celluloid, heating and com pressing the ball thus formed, and continuing the Compression while the shell hardens.

23. A process in producing playing-balls, consisting in covering a core With layers of Celluloid and fabric; at least two layers of Celluloid being employed, and the outer layer thereof consisting of hemispherical segments and being more seasoned than the innerlayer; subjecting the .ball thus assembled to heat and compression; and continuing the compression while the shell hardens.

24E. A process in producing playing-balls, Consisting in covering a core with previouslyformed layers of Celluloid each layer being in the form of segments, and causing said layers to join or weld together and said segments to Weld at their edges under heat and compression.

25. A process in producing playing-balls, Consisting in heating and compressing and welding well-Cured segments and incompletely-cured segments of Celluloid upon a springy core and causing the compression to be Continued While the shell hardens.

26. A process in producing playing-balls consisting in winding elastic belting upon a springy Core, Cementing said belting, inclosing the belted Core in segments of Celluloid, inclosing the ball thus formed in other segments of Celluloid, and subjecting the ball thus assembled to simultaneous heat and compression.

27. A process in producing playing-balls, consisting in forming ahard,springycore with a tensioned elastic jacket, and heatingl and compressing highly-seasoned segments and incompletelycured segments of Celluloid thereon.

28. A process in producing playing-balls, Consistingin solidifying under heat and pressure a springy core, a tensioned elastic jacket upon said core, and layers of Celluloid in segmental form incasiug said jacket.

ELEAZER KEMPSHALL.

Vitnesses:

B. C. STICKNEY, JOHN O. SEIFERT.

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