U.S. patent application number 10/249544 was filed with the patent office on 2003-08-14 for golf ball.
This patent application is currently assigned to CALLAWAY GOLF COMPANY. Invention is credited to Bartels, David M., Dewanjee, Pijush K., Goodman, Geoffrey P.M., Ogg, Steven S., Yagley, Michael S..
Application Number | 20030153409 10/249544 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46204810 |
Filed Date | 2003-08-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030153409 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yagley, Michael S. ; et
al. |
August 14, 2003 |
Golf Ball
Abstract
The present invention is a golf ball having a core, a cover and
a lattice structure aerodynamic pattern. The core has a diameter of
1.50 inches to 1.56 inches, and a PGA compression of 55 to 70
points. The cover has a thickness of 0.60 inch to 0.90 inch. The
cover has a Shore D hardness less than 64 on the golf ball. The
golf ball has a ball velocity off a driver at a medium speed that
is greater than 132.7 mph.
Inventors: |
Yagley, Michael S.;
(Cardiff, CA) ; Ogg, Steven S.; (Carlsbad, CA)
; Dewanjee, Pijush K.; (Carlsbad, CA) ; Bartels,
David M.; (Carlsbad, CA) ; Goodman, Geoffrey
P.M.; (Rancho Santa Fe, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CALLAWAY GOLF C0MPANY
2285 RUTHERFORD ROAD
CARLSBAD
CA
92008
|
Assignee: |
CALLAWAY GOLF COMPANY
2285 Rutherford Road
Carlsbad
CA
|
Family ID: |
46204810 |
Appl. No.: |
10/249544 |
Filed: |
April 17, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10249544 |
Apr 17, 2003 |
|
|
|
09768846 |
Jan 23, 2001 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/378 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 37/0003 20130101;
C08L 2205/02 20130101; C08L 23/08 20130101; A63B 37/00065 20200801;
A63B 37/0033 20130101; A63B 37/0087 20130101; A63B 37/0017
20130101; C08L 23/0876 20130101; A63B 37/0009 20130101; A63B
37/0084 20130101; A63B 37/0031 20130101; A63B 37/0037 20130101;
A63B 37/008 20130101; C08K 3/08 20130101; A63B 37/0065 20130101;
C08K 3/08 20130101; C08L 9/00 20130101; C08L 23/08 20130101; C08L
2666/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/378 |
International
Class: |
A63B 037/06 |
Claims
We claim as our invention:
1. A golf ball comprising: a core having a diameter of 1.50 inches
to 1.56 inches, the core comprising polybutadiene, zinc oxide in an
amount of 7 to 15 parts per hundred parts of polybutadiene, zinc
diacryalate in an amount of 30 to 50 parts per hundred parts of
polybutadiene; an initiator in an amount of 0.1 to 1.0 parts per
hundred parts of polybutadiene, and tungsten in an amount of 5 to
10 parts per hundred parts of polybutadiene, the core having a PGA
compression of 45 to 65 points; and a cover having a thickness of
0.060 inch to 0.090 inch, the cover comprising an ionomer blend
formed from a high acid ionomer neutralized with zinc and a
terpolymer neutralized with magnesium, the cover having a flexural
modulus ranging from 35,000 psi to 60,000 psi, a Shore D hardness
ranging from 60 to 65; wherein the golf ball has a PGA compression
ranging from 75 to 85 points, and the golf ball has a lattice
structure aerodynamic pattern.
2. A golf ball comprising: a core having a diameter of 1.50 inches
to 1.56 inches, the core having a PGA compression of 45 to 65
points; and a cover having a thickness of 0.060 inch to 0.090 inch,
the cover having a Shore D hardness less than 64 as measured on the
land surface of the golf ball; wherein the golf ball has a ball
velocity off a driver at a medium speed that is greater than 132.7
mph, and wherein the golf ball has an innersphere having a diameter
in the range of 1.60 to 1.78 inches, a plurality of smooth portions
on the surface of the innersphere and a plurality of lattice
members.
3. A golf ball comprising: a core having a diameter of 1.50 inches
to 1.56 inches, the core having a PGA compression of 45 to 65
points; and a cover having a thickness of 0.060 inch to 0.090 inch,
the cover having a Shore D hardness less than 64 as measured on the
land surface of the golf ball; wherein the golf ball has a ball
velocity off a five iron at a medium speed that is greater than
115.0 mph, and wherein the golf ball has an innersphere having a
diameter in the range of 1.60 to 1.78 inches, a plurality of smooth
portions on the surface of the innersphere and a plurality of
lattice members.
4. A golf ball comprising: a core having a diameter of 1.50 inches
to 1.56 inches, the core having a PGA compression of 45 to 65
points; and a cover having a thickness of 0.060 inch to 0.090 inch,
the cover having a Shore D hardness less than 64 as measured on the
land surface of the golf ball; wherein the golf ball has a COR that
is greater than 0.783 points at 143 fps, and wherein the golf ball
has an innersphere having a diameter in the range of 1.60 to 1.78
inches, a plurality of smooth portions on the surface of the
innersphere and a plurality of lattice members.
5. A golf ball comprising: a core having a diameter of 1.50 inches
to 1.56 inches, the core having a PGA compression of 45 to 65
points; a cover having a thickness of 0.060 inch to 0.090 inch, the
cover having a Shore D hardness less than 64 as measured on the
land surface of the golf ball; an innersphere having a surface; a
plurality of smooth portions on the surface of the innersphere; and
a plurality of lattice members encompassing the plurality of smooth
portions, each of the lattice members having a cross-sectional
curvature comprising a first concave portion, a second concave
portion and a convex portion disposed between the first concave
portion and the second concave portion, the convex portion having
an apex tangent to the curvature of the convex portion, each of the
plurality of lattice members connected to at least one other
lattice member to form a predetermined pattern of polygons about
the plurality of smooth portions, each of the lattice members
having an apex at a distance of from 0.005 inch to 0.010 inch from
the bottom of the lattice member thereby defining an
outersphere.
6. A golf ball comprising: a core having a diameter of 1.50 inches
to 1.56 inches, the core having a PGA compression of 45 to 65
points; a cover having a thickness of 0.060 inch to 0.090 inch, the
cover having a Shore D hardness less than 64 as measured on the
land surface of the golf ball; an innersphere having a surface; a
plurality of smooth portions on the surface of the innersphere; and
a plurality of lattice members disposed on the innersphere surface,
each of the lattice members having a cross-sectional curvature with
an arc and an apex at the highest point of the arc of each of the
lattice members that is tangent to the curvature of the arc, each
of the plurality of lattice members connected to at least one other
lattice member to form a plurality of interconnected polygons about
each of the plurality of smooth portions; wherein the lattice
members cover between 20% and 80% of the surface of the golf ball,
and the plurality of smooth portions and the plurality of lattice
members cover the entirety of the surface of the golf ball.
7. A golf ball comprising: a core having a diameter of 1.50 inches
to 1.56 inches, the core having a PGA compression of 45 to 65
points; a cover having a thickness of 0.060 inch to 0.090 inch, the
cover having a Shore D hardness less than 64 as measured on the
land surface of the golf ball; a plurality of lattice members
wherein an apex of at least one of the plurality of lattice members
defines the greatest extent of the golf ball, wherein the volume of
the outermost 0.002 inch of the golf ball is less than 0.00213
cubic inch.
8. The golf ball according to claim 7 wherein the volume of the
outermost 0.004 inch of the golf ball is less than 0.00498 cubic
inch.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The Present Application is a continuation-in-part
application of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No.
09/768,846, filed on Jan. 23, 2001.
FEDERAL RESEARCH STATEMENT
[0002] [Not Applicable ]
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0003] 1. Field of the Invention
[0004] The present invention relates to a golf ball. More
specifically, the present invention relates to a two-piece golf
ball with a cover layer composed of an ionomer blend, a core
containing polybutadiene, tungsten, and other materials, and a
tubular lattice structure aerodynamic pattern.
[0005] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0006] Two-piece golf balls with ionomer covers have been in
existence since the 1960's. The core is typically solid, and the
cover is usually a hard ionomer material. The two-piece golf balls
of the prior art provide added distance while giving up feel.
[0007] The traditional golf ball, as readily accepted by the
consuming public, is spherical with a plurality of dimples, with
each dimple having a circular cross-section. Many golf balls have
been disclosed that break with this tradition, however, for the
most part these non-traditional golf balls have been commercially
unsuccessful.
[0008] Most of these non-traditional golf balls still attempt to
adhere to the Rules Of Golf as set forth by the United States Golf
Association (USGA) and The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of Saint
Andrews (R&A). As set forth in Appendix III of the Rules of
Golf, the weight of the ball shall not be greater than 1.620 ounces
avoirdupois (45.93 gm), the diameter of the ball shall be not less
than 1.680 inches (42.67 mm) which is satisfied if, under its own
weight, a ball falls through a 1.680 inches diameter ring gauge in
fewer than 25 out of 100 randomly selected positions, the test
being carried out at a temperature of 23.+-.1.degree. C., and the
ball must not be designed, manufactured or intentionally modified
to have properties which differ from those of a spherically
symmetrical ball. Also, the Rules of Golf limit the initial
velocity of a golf ball to 250 feet (76.2 m) per second (a two
percent maximum tolerance allows for an initial velocity of 255 per
second) and the overall distance to 280 yards (256 m) plus a six
percent tolerance for a total distance of 296.8 yards (the six
percent tolerance may be lowered to four percent). A complete
description of the Rules of Golf are available on the USGA web page
at ww_Hlt509050176w_Hlt509050176.usga.org or at the R&A web
page at www.randa.org. Thus, the initial velocity and overall
distance of a golf ball must not exceed these limits in order to
conform to the Rules of Golf.
[0009] One example is Shimosaka et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,916,044,
for a Golf Ball that discloses the use of protrusions to meet the
1.68 inch (42.67 mm) diameter limitation of the USGA and R&A.
The Shimosaka patent discloses a golf ball with a plurality of
dimples on the surface and a few rows of protrusions that have a
height of 0.001 to 1.0 mm from the surface. Thus, the diameter of
the land area is less than 42.67 mm.
[0010] Another example of a non-traditional golf ball is Puckett et
al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,836,552 for a Short Distance Golf Ball, which
discloses a golf ball having brambles instead of dimples in order
to reduce the flight distance to half of that of a traditional golf
ball in order to play on short distance courses.
[0011] Another example of a non-traditional golf ball is
Pocklington, U.S. Pat. No. 5,536,013 for a Golf Ball, which
discloses a golf ball having raised portions within each dimple,
and also discloses dimples of varying geometric shapes such as
squares, diamonds and pentagons. The raised portions in each of the
dimples of Pocklington assists in controlling the overall volume of
the dimples.
[0012] Another example is Kobayashi, U.S. Pat. No. 4,787,638 for a
Golf Ball, which discloses a golf ball having dimples with
indentations within each of the dimples. The indentations in the
dimples of Kobayashi are to reduce the air pressure drag at low
speeds in order to increase the distance.
[0013] Yet another example is Treadwell, U.S. Pat. No. 4,266,773
for a Golf Ball, which discloses a golf ball having rough bands and
smooth bands on its surface in order to trip the boundary layer of
air flow during flight of the golf ball.
[0014] Aoyama, U.S. Pat. No. 4,830,378, for a Golf Ball With
Uniform Land Configuration, discloses a golf ball with dimples that
have triangular shapes. The total flat land area of Aoyama is no
greater than 20% of the surface of the golf ball, and the objective
of the patent is to optimize the uniform land configuration and not
the dimples.
[0015] Another variation in the shape of the dimples is set forth
in Steifel, U.S. Pat. No. 5,890,975 for a Golf Ball And Method Of
Forming Dimples Thereon. Some of the dimples of Steifel are
elongated to have an elliptical cross-section instead of a circular
cross-section. The elongated dimples make it possible to increase
the surface coverage area. A design patent to Steifel, U.S. Pat.
No. 406,623, has all elongated dimples.
[0016] A variation on this theme is set forth in Moriyama et al.,
U.S. Pat. No. 5,722,903, for a Golf Ball, which discloses a golf
ball with traditional dimples and oval shaped dimples.
[0017] A further example of a non-traditional golf ball is set
forth in Shaw et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,722,529, for Golf Balls,
which discloses a golf ball with dimples and 30 bald patches in the
shape of a dumbbell for improvements in aerodynamics.
[0018] Another example of a non-traditional golf ball is Cadorniga,
U.S. Pat. No. 5,470,076, for a Golf Ball, which discloses each of a
plurality of dimples having an additional recess. It is believed
that the major and minor recess dimples of Cadorniga create a
smaller wake of air during flight of a golf ball.
[0019] Oka et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,143,377, for a Golf Ball,
discloses circular and non-circular dimples. The non-circular
dimples are square, regular octagonal, regular hexagonal and amount
to at least forty percent of the 332 dimples on the golf ball of
Oka. These non-circular dimples of Oka have a double slope that
sweeps air away from the periphery in order to make the air
turbulent.
[0020] Machin, U.S. Pat. No. 5,377,989, for Golf Balls With
Isodiametrical Dimples, discloses a golf ball having dimples with
an odd number of curved sides and arcuate apices to reduce the drag
on the golf ball during flight.
[0021] Lavallee et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,356,150, discloses a golf
ball having overlapping elongated dimples to obtain maximum dimple
coverage on the surface of the golf ball.
[0022] Oka et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,338,039, discloses a golf ball
having at least forty percent of its dimples with a polygonal
shape. The shapes of the Oka golf ball are pentagonal, hexagonal
and octagonal.
[0023] Although the prior art has set forth numerous variations for
the surface of a golf ball, there remains a need for a two-piece
golf ball having a surface that minimizes the volume needed to trip
the boundary layer of air at low speed while providing a low drag
level at high speeds.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0024] One aspect of the present invention is a golf ball having a
core, a cover and a lattice structure aerodynamic pattern. The core
has a diameter of 1.50 inches to 1.56 inches. The core is composed
of polybutadiene, zinc oxide in an amount of 7 to 15 parts per
hundred parts of polybutadiene, zinc diacryalate in an amount of 30
to 50 parts per hundred parts of polybutadiene, an initiator in an
amount of 0.1 to 1.0 parts per hundred parts of polybutadiene, and
tungsten in an amount of 5 to 10 parts per hundred parts of
polybutadiene. The core has a PGA compression of 45 to 70 points.
The cover preferably has a thickness of 0.060 inch to 0.090 inch.
The cover is preferably composed of an ionomer blend formed from a
high acid copolymer ionomer neutralized with zinc and a terpolymer
ionomer neutralized with magnesium. The cover preferably has a
flexural modulus ranging from 35,000 psi to 60,000 psi, and a Shore
D hardness ranging from 60 to 65. The golf ball has a PGA
compression ranging from 75 to 90 points.
[0025] Another aspect of the present invention is a golf ball that
has a ball velocity off a driver at a medium speed (about 79 miles
per hour) that is greater than 132.7 mph, and a core, a cover and a
lattice structure aerodynamic pattern. The core has a diameter of
1.50 inches to 1.56 inches, and a PGA compression of 45 to 70
points. The cover has a thickness of 0.060 inch to 0.090 inch. The
cover has a Shore D hardness less than 64 as measured on lattice
structure.
[0026] Yet another aspect of the present invention is a golf ball
that has a ball velocity off a five iron at a medium speed that is
greater than 115.0 mph, and a core, a cover and a lattice structure
aerodynamic pattern. The core has a diameter of 1.50 inches to 1.56
inches, and a PGA compression of 45 to 70 points. The cover has a
thickness of 0.060 inch to 0.090 inch. The cover has a Shore D
hardness less than 64 as measured on the lattice structure.
[0027] Yet another aspect of the present invention is a golf ball
that has a COR that is greater than 0.795 points, and a core, a
cover and a lattice structure aerodynamic pattern. The core has a
diameter of 1.50 inches to 1.56 inches, and a PGA compression of 55
to 70 points. The cover has a thickness of 0.060 inch to 0.090
inch. The cover has a Shore D hardness less than 64 as measured on
the land surface of the golf ball.
[0028] Having briefly described the present invention, the above
and further objects, features and advantages thereof will be
recognized by those skilled in the pertinent art from the following
detailed description of the invention when taken in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0029] FIG. 1 is an equatorial view of a preferred embodiment of a
golf ball of the present invention.
[0030] FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view of a golf ball of the
present invention.
[0031] FIG. 2 is a polar view of the golf ball of FIG. 1.
[0032] FIG. 3 is an enlargement of a section of FIG. 1.
[0033] FIG. 4 is an enlargement of a section of FIG. 3 FIG. 4A is a
cross-sectional view of the surface of the golf ball of the present
invention illustrating an outersphere, also referred to as a
phantom sphere.
[0034] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of
lattice members of the golf ball of the present invention.
[0035] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative
embodiment of lattice members of the golf ball of the present
invention.
[0036] FIG. 6A is a top plan view of FIG. 6 to illustrate the width
of the apex of each of the lattice members.
[0037] FIG. 7 is an isolated cross-sectional view of one embodiment
of lattice members of the golf ball of the present invention.
[0038] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment
of lattice members of the golf ball of the present invention.
[0039] FIG. 9 is a front view of the preferred embodiment of the
golf ball of the present invention illustrating the alternating
parting line.
[0040] FIG. 9A is a perspective view of the golf ball of FIG.
9.
[0041] FIG. 9B is a polar view of the golf ball of FIG. 9.
[0042] FIG. 9C is an identical view of FIG. 9 illustrating the
pentagonal grouping of hexagons.
[0043] FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of the surface of a golf ball of
the present invention to demonstrate the minimal volume feature of
the present invention.
[0044] FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of the surface of a golf ball of
the prior art for comparison to the minimal volume feature of the
present invention.
[0045] FIG. 12 is a chart of the minimal volume.
[0046] FIG. 13 is a graph of the cover Shore D hardness (x-axis)
versus the Ball Velocity using a driver at a medium swing speed
(y-axis) for the golf ball of the present invention and 12
competitor golf balls.
[0047] FIG. 14 is a graph of the cover Shore D hardness (x-axis)
versus the Ball Velocity using a five-iron at a medium swing speed
(y-axis) for the golf ball of the present invention and 12
competitor golf balls.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0048] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 1A, the golf ball of the present
invention is generally designated 20. The golf ball 20 has a core
12 and a cover 14 encompassing the core. The surface of the golf
ball 20 has a lattice structure aerodynamic pattern.
[0049] The golf ball 20 has innersphere 21 with an innersphere
surface 22. The golf ball 20 also has an equator 24 dividing the
golf ball 20 into a first hemisphere 26 and a second hemisphere 28.
A first pole 30 is located ninety degrees along a longitudinal arc
from the equator 24 in the first hemisphere 26. A second pole 32 is
located ninety degrees along a longitudinal arc from the equator 24
in the second hemisphere 28.
[0050] Descending toward the surface 22 of the innersphere 21 are a
plurality of lattice members 40. In a preferred embodiment, the
lattice members 40 are tubular. However, those skilled in the
pertinent art will recognize that the lattice members 40 may have
other similar shapes. The lattice members 40 are connected to each
other to form a lattice structure 42 on the golf ball 20. The
interconnected lattice members 40 form a plurality of polygons
encompassing discrete areas of the surface 22 of the innersphere
21. Most of these discrete bounded areas 44 are hexagonal shaped
bounded areas 44a, with a few pentagonal shaped bounded areas 44b,
a few octagonal shaped bounded areas 44c, and a few quadragonal
shaped bounded areas 44d. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4, there are
380 polygons. In an alternative embodiment, there are 332
polygons.
[0051] In the preferred embodiment, each of the plurality of
lattice members 40 are connected to at least another lattice
members 40. Each of the lattice members 40 meet at least two other
lattice members 40 at a vertex 46. Most of the vertices 46 are the
congruence of three lattice members 40. However, some vertices 46a
are the congruence of four lattice members 40. These vertices 46a
are located at the equator 24 of the golf ball 20. The length of
each of the lattice members 40 ranges from 0.005 inch to 0.01 inch
thereby defining an outersphere of at least 1.68 inches.
[0052] The preferred embodiment of the present invention has
reduced the land to almost zero since only a line of each of the
plurality of lattice members 40 is in a spherical plane at 1.68
inches, the outersphere. More specifically, the land area of
traditional golf balls is the area forming a sphere of at least
1.68 inches for USGA and R&A conforming golf balls. This land
area is traditionally minimized with dimples that are concave into
the surface of the sphere of the traditional golf ball, resulting
in land area on the non-dimpled surface of the golf ball. However,
the golf ball 20 of the present invention has only a line at an
apex 50 of each of the lattice members 40 that defines the land
area of the outersphere of the golf ball 20.
[0053] Traditional golf balls were designed to have the dimples
trip the boundary layer on the surface of a golf ball in flight to
create a turbulent flow for greater lift and reduced drag. The golf
ball 20 of the present invention has the lattice structure 42 to
trip the boundary layer of air about the surface of the golf ball
20 in flight.
[0054] As shown in FIG. 4A, a 1.68 inches outersphere, as shown by
dashed line 45, encompasses the lattice members 40 and the
innersphere 21. The volume of the lattice structure 42 as measured
from the bottom of each lattice member 40 to the apex 50 is a
minimal amount of the volume between the 1.68 inches outersphere
and the innersphere 21. In the preferred embodiment, the apex 50
lies on the 1.68 inches outersphere. Thus, over 90 percent, and
closer to 95 percent, of the entire volume of the golf ball 20 lies
below the 1.68 inches outersphere.
[0055] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the distance h and h" of the
lattice members 40 from the bottom of each lattice member 40 to an
apex 50 will vary in order to have the golf ball 20 meet or exceed
the 1.68 inches requirement. For example, if the diameter of the
innersphere 21 is 1.666 inches, then the distance h of the lattice
members 40 in FIG. 5 is 0.007 inch since the lattice member 40 on
one hemisphere 26 is combined with a corresponding lattice member
40 on the second hemisphere 28 to reach the 1.68 inches
requirement. In a preferred embodiment, if lattice members 40
having a greater distance h" are desired, such as in FIG. 6, then
the innersphere 21 has a lesser diameter. Thus, the diameter of the
innersphere 21 in FIG. 6 is 1.662 while the distance h" of the
lattice members 40 are 0.009 inch thereby resulting in an
outersphere with a diameter of 1.68 inches. As shown in FIG. 6A,
the width of each of the apices 50 is minimal since the apex lies
along an arc of a lattice member 40. In theory, the width of each
apex 50 should approach the width of a line. In practice, the width
of each apex 50 of each lattice member 40 is determined by the
precision of the mold utilized to produce the golf ball 20. The
precision of the mold is itself determined by the master used to
form the mold. In the practice, the width of each line ranges from
0.0001 inch to 0.001 inch.
[0056] Although the cross-section of the lattice members 40 shown
in FIGS. 5 and 6 are circular, a preferred cross-section of each of
the plurality of lattice members 40 is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. In
such a preferred cross-section, the lattice member 40 has a contour
52 that has a first concave section 54, a convex section 56 and a
second concave section 58. The radius R.sub.2 of the convex portion
56 of each of the lattice members 40 is preferably in the range of
0.0275 inch to 0.0350 inch. The radius R.sub.1 of the first and
second concave portions 54 and 58 is preferably in the range of
0.150 inch to 0.200 inch, and most preferably 0.175 inch. R.sub.IS
is the radius of the innersphere, which is preferably 0.831 inch.
R.sub.OS is the radius of the outersphere, which is preferably 1.68
inches.
[0057] A preferred embodiment of the present invention is
illustrated in FIGS. 9, 9A, 9B and 9C. In this embodiment, the golf
ball 20 has a parting line 100 that corresponds to the shape of
polygon defined by the plurality of lattice members 40 about the
equator 24. Thus, if the polygons have a hexagonal shape, the
parting line 100 will alternate along the lower half of one hexagon
and the upper half of an adjacent hexagon. In the embodiment of
FIGS. 9, 9A, 9B and 9C, there are 332 polygons, with 12 of those
polygons being pentagons and the rest being hexagons.
[0058] As shown in FIG. 9, each hemisphere 26 and 28 has two rows
of hexagons 70, 72, 74 and 76, adjacent the parting line 100. The
pole 30 of the first hemisphere 26 is encompassed by a pentagon
44b, as shown in FIG. 9B. The pentagon 44b at the pole 30 is
encompassed by ever increasing spherical pentagonal groups of
hexagons 80, 82, 84, 86, and 88. A pentagonal group 90 has
pentagons 44b at each respective base, with hexagons 44a
therebetween. The pentagonal groups 80, 82, 84, 86, 88 and 90
transform into the four adjacent rows 70, 72, 74 and 76. The
preferred embodiment only has hexagons 44a and pentagons 44b.
[0059] FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of the surface of the golf ball
20 of the present invention to demonstrate the minimal volume of
the golf ball 20 from a predetermined distance from the greatest
extent of the golf ball 20, the outersphere. More specifically, the
greatest extent of one embodiment of the golf ball 20 are the
apices 50 of the lattice members 40 which lie on a spherical plane
(shown as dashed line 45) which has a 1.682 inches diameter, the
outersphere. Those skilled in the art should recognize that other
embodiments could have the apices 50 lie on a spherical plane at
1.70 inches, 1.72 inches, 1.64 inches, 1.60 inches, or any other
variation in the diameter of the greatest extent of the golf ball
20. Having defined the greatest extent of the golf ball 20, the
present invention will have a minimal volume from this greatest
extent toward the innersphere 22. For example, dashed line 130
represents a spherical plane that intersects each of the lattice
members 40 at a distance of 0.002 inch (at a radius of 0.839 inch
from the center) from the greatest extent of the golf ball 20. The
volume of the golf ball 20 of the present invention between the
greatest extent spherical plane 45 and the spherical plane 130 is
only 0.0008134 cubic inch. In other words, the outermost 0.002 inch
(between a radius of 0.841 and 0.839 inch) of the golf ball 20 has
a volume 0.0008134 cubic inch.
[0060] FIG. 11 illustrates the surface of a golf ball 140 of the
prior art which has traditional dimples 142 encompassed by a land
area 144. The land area 144 represents the greatest extent of the
golf ball 140 of the prior art. For comparison to the golf ball 20
of the present invention, the volume of the golf ball 140 of the
prior art between the greatest extent 144 and a spherical plane
130" is 0.00213 cubic inch. Spherical planes 132, 134 and 136, at
0.004 inch, 0.006 inch and 0.008 inch respectively, have volumes of
0.0023074 cubic inch, 0.0042164 cubic inch and 0.0065404 cubic
inch, respectively on the golf ball 20 of the present invention.
Spherical planes 132", 134" and 136", at 0.004 inch, 0.006 inch and
0.008 inch respectively, will have volumes of 0.00498 cubic inch,
0.00841 cubic inch and 0.01238 cubic inch on the golf ball 140 of
the prior art 140.
[0061] Thus, as further shown in FIG. 12 and Table One below, the
golf ball 20 of the present invention preferably has a minimal
volume at a predetermined distance from the greatest extent of the
golf ball 20. This minimal volume is a minimal amount necessary to
trip the boundary layer air at low speed while providing a low drag
level at high speeds. The first column of Table One is the distance
from the outermost point of the golf ball 20, which is the apex 50
of each of the lattice members 40. The second column is the
individual volume of each of the 830 lattice members 40 at this
distance inward from the outermost point. The third column is the
total volume of the spherical planes at each distance inward from
the outermost point. Table Two contains similar information for the
golf ball 140 of the prior art.
[0062] [t1]
1TABLE ONE Tube H Tube Vol Total Volume 0.001 0.00000035 0.0002905
0.002 0.00000098 0.0008134 0.003 0.00000181 0.0015023 0.004
0.00000278 0.0023074 0.005 0.00000387 0.0032121 0.006 0.00000508
0.0042164 0.007 0.00000641 0.0053203 0.008 0.00000788 0.0065404
0.009 0.00001123 0.0093209
[0063] [t2]
2TABLE TWO Shell Delta Dia. 1/10 Remaining Vol Total Remaining Vol
0.001 0.000091 0.00091 0.002 0.000213 0.00213 0.003 0.000347
0.00347 0.004 0.000498 0.00498 0.005 0.000663 0.00663 0.006
0.000841 0.00841 0.007 0.001033 0.01033 0.008 0.001238 0.01238
0.009 0.001458 0.01458
[0064] The aerodynamic pattern of the golf ball 20 is combined with
a two-piece golf ball construction that has a relatively medium
hardness cover 14 encompassing the core 12 with a relatively medium
core compression. The construction of the golf ball 20 allows for a
golf ball 20 that has a softer hardness while providing greater
velocity than other competitive golf balls.
[0065] The coefficient of restitution (COR) is a measure of the
resilience of a golf ball. The COR is a measure of the ratio of the
relative velocity of the golf ball after direct impact with a hard
surface to the relative velocity before impact with the hard
surface. The COR may vary from 0 to 1, with 1 equivalent to a
completely elastic collision and 0 equivalent to a completely
inelastic collision. A golf ball having a COR value closer to 1
will generally correspond to a golf ball having a higher initial
velocity and a greater overall distance. The force of a club during
a swing is transferred to a golf ball. If the golf ball has a high
COR (more elastic), then the initial velocity of the golf ball will
be greater than if the golf ball had a low COR. In general, a
higher compression core will result in a higher COR value. The COR
of the core 12 of the golf ball 20 of the present invention is
preferably 75 to 80 points at 143 feet per second (fps), most
preferably ranging from 76 to 79 points at 143 fps, and is most
preferably 78.34 points at 143 fps.
[0066] In the present invention, the core components are mixed and
compression molded in a conventional manner known to those skilled
in the art. In a preferred form, the finished core 12 has a
diameter of about 1.50 inch to about 1.62 inch for a golf ball 20
having an outer diameter of 1.68 inches, and is most preferably
1.535 to 1.545, with 1.54 the preferable diameter of the core 12.
The core weight is preferably maintained in the range of about 32
to about 40 g, with 34 grams to 38 grams a more preferably range
and 36 grams the most preferable weight of the core 12. The core
PGA compression is preferably maintained in the range of about 47
to 62, and most preferably range about 53 to 57 with 55 the most
preferable core compression.
[0067] As used herein, the term PGA compression is defined as
follows:PGA compression value=180 Riehle compression valueThe
Riehle compression value is the amount of deformation of a golf
ball in inches under a static load of 200 pounds, multiplied by
1000. Accordingly, for a deformation of 0.095 inches under a load
of 200 pounds, the Riehle compression value is 95 and the PGA
compression value is 85.
[0068] The core 12 of the golf ball 20 is generally composed of a
blend of a base rubber, a cross-linking agent, a free radical
initiator, tungsten and one or more fillers or processing aids. A
preferred base rubber is a polybutadiene having a cis-1,4 content
above 90%, and more preferably 98% or above.
[0069] The use of cross-linking agents in a golf ball core is well
known, and metal acrylate salts are examples of such cross-linking
agents. For example, metal salt diacrylates, dimethacrylates, or
mono(meth)acrylates are preferred for use in the golf ball cores of
the present invention, and zinc diacrylate is a particularly
preferred cross-linking agent. A commercially available suitable
zinc diacrylate is SR-416 available from Sartomer Co., Inc., Exton,
Pa. Other metal salt di- or mono-(meth)acrylates suitable for use
in the present invention include those in which the metal is
calcium or magnesium. In the manufacturing process it may be
beneficial to pre-mix some cross-linking agent(s), such as, e.g.,
zinc diacrylate, with the polybutadiene in a master batch prior to
blending with other core components. A preferred mixing process is
disclosed in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/690,373
filed on Oct. 16, 2000, entitled A Process For Manufacturing A Core
For A Golf Ball, which pertinent parts are hereby incorporated by
reference.
[0070] Free radical initiators are used to promote cross-linking of
the base rubber and the cross-linking agent. Suitable free radical
initiators for use in the golf ball core 12 of the present
invention include peroxides such as dicumyl peroxide, bis-(t-butyl
peroxy) diisopropyl benzene, t-butyl perbenzoate, di-t-butyl
peroxide, 2,5-dimethyl-2,5-di-5-butylperoxy-hexane,
1,1-di(t-butylperoxy) 3,3,5-trimethyl cyclohexane, and the like,
all of which are readily commercially available.
[0071] Zinc oxide is also preferably included in the core
formulation. Zinc oxide may primarily be used as a weight adjusting
filler, and is also believed to participate in the cross-linking of
the other components of the core (e.g. as a coagent). Additional
processing aids such as dispersants and activators may optionally
be included. In particular, zinc stearate may be added as a
processing aid (e.g. as an activator).
[0072] Tungsten is added to the core mixture to provide weight to
the core 12, and hence the golf ball 10, while occupying volume
minimal volume. Tungsten has a density of 19.3 grams per centimeter
cubed which is much greater than the density of the polybutadiene.
Thus, minimal tungsten allows for the necessary weight while
allowing for more polybutadiene to be used in the core 12 to
provide greater velocity. A number of other specific gravity
adjusting fillers, in addition to the tungsten, may be included to
obtain a preferred total weight of the core 12. Examples of such
fillers include clay and barium sulfate. All such processing aids
and fillers are readily commercially available. The present
inventors have found a particularly useful tungsten filler is WP102
Tungsten (having a 3 micron particle size) available from Atlantic
Equipment Engineers, Bergenfield, N.J.
[0073] Table Three below provides the ranges of materials included
in the preferred core formulations of the present invention.
[0074] [t3]
3TABLE THREE Component Preferred Range Most Preferred Range
Polybutadiene 100 parts 100 parts Zinc diacrylate 20-35 phr 25-30
phr Zinc oxide 0-50 phr 5-15 phr Zinc stearate 0-15 phr 1-7 phr
Peroxide 0.2-2.5 phr 0.5-1.5 phr Filler As desired As desired
Tungsten 6-10 phr 6 phr
[0075] The preferred specific gravity for the core 12 is 1.165 to
1.185, and most preferably 1.174.
[0076] The cover 14 preferably is composed of a thermoplastic
material (e.g. thermoplastic or thermoplastic elastomer) or a blend
of thermoplastic material (e.g. metal containing, non-metal
containing or both). Most preferably the cover 14 is composed of a
blend of thermoplastic materials that contain organic chain
molecules and metal ions. The metal ion may be, for example,
sodium, zinc, magnesium, lithium, potassium, cesium, or any polar
metal ion that serves as a reversible cross-linking site and
results in high levels of resilience and impact resistance.
Suitable commercially available thermoplastics are ionomers based
on ethylene copolymers and containing carboxylic acid groups with
metal ions such as described above. The acid levels in such
suitable ionomers may be neutralized to control resiliency, impact
resistance and other like properties.
[0077] In addition, other fillers with ionomer carriers may be used
to modify (e.g. preferably increase) the specific gravity of the
thermoplastic blend to control the moment of inertia and other like
properties. Exemplary commercially available thermoplastic
materials suitable for use in a cover 14 of a golf ball 20 of the
present invention include, for example, the following materials
and/or blends of the following materials: HYTREL.RTM. and/or
HYLENE.RTM. products from DuPont, Wilmington, Del., PEBAX.RTM.
products from Elf Atochem, Philadelphia, Pa., SURLYN.RTM. products
from DuPont, and/or ESCOR.RTM. or IOTEK .RTM. products from Exxon
Chemical, Houston, Tex.
[0078] The Shore D hardness of the cover 14 should be about 62 or
less. It is preferred that the cover 14 have a hardness of between
about 54-64 Shore D, more preferably from 58 to 63, and most
preferably 62. One reason for preferring a cover 14 with a Shore D
hardness of 62 to 58 is to improve the feel of the resultant golf
ball. The Shore D Hardness is determined according to ASTM D2240.
However, the comparative testing in FIGS. 13-14 tested the Shore D
hardness on the land surface of an actual golf ball by using a
Shore D durometer tester while the golf ball was fixed within a
holder.
[0079] It is preferred that the cover 14 is composed of a blend of
SURLYN.RTM. ionomer resins. SURLYN.RTM. 9150 and 6320 are an
ionomer resin composed of a zinc neutralized ethylene/methacrylic
acid and an ionomer resin composed of a terpolymer of ethylene,
methacrylic acid and n-butyl acrylate partially neutralized with
magnesium, and both are available from DuPont, Polymer Products,
Wilmington, Del.
[0080] Preferably the blend of ionomers that form the cover 14 is
composed of 60 to 70 weight percent composed of a zinc neutralized
ethylene/methacrylic acid ionomer resin (SURLYN 9150), and 40 to 30
weight percent of an ionomer resin composed of a terpolymer of
ethylene, methacrylic acid and n-butyl acrylate partially
neutralized with magnesium (SURLYN 6320). A most preferred
embodiment is composed of 65 weight percent composed of a zinc
neutralized ethylene/methacrylic acid ionomer resin (SURLYN 9150),
and 35 weight percent of an ionomer resin composed of a terpolymer
of ethylene, methacrylic acid and n-butyl acrylate partially
neutralized with magnesium (SURLYN 6320).
[0081] Preferably, the ionomer resins are mixed and heated, then
injection molded in a flowable form over the core 12 in a
conventional manner that is well-known to those skilled in the
pertinent art to form the cover 14. The mold has an inverse
aerodynamic pattern to form the aerodynamic pattern on the cover
14. Alternatively, the cover 14 may be manufactured using half
shells that are compression molded over the core 12, which is also
well-known in the pertinent art.
[0082] An alternative embodiment of the cover 14 may include a
predetermined amount of a baryte mixture. The baryte mixture is
included as 8 or 9 parts per hundred parts of the ionomer resins.
One preferred baryte mixture is composed of 80% barytes and 20% of
an ionomer, and is available from Americhem, Inc., Cuyahoga Falls,
Ohio, under the trade designation 38534X1.
[0083] The cover 14 preferably has a thickness of 0.60 inch to 0.90
inch, most preferably ranging from 0.65 inch to 0.80 inch, and most
preferably 0.70 inch. Preferably, the apex of the lattice ember 42
is 0.070 inch from the surface of the core 12 and the innersphere
surface 21 is 0.0615 inch from the surface of the core 12. The
cover 14 preferably has a flexural modulus (using ASTM-790) of
35,000 pounds per square inch (psi) to 60,000 psi, most preferably
50,000 psi. The golf ball 20 is preferably finished by applying a
base coat and/or top coat to the surface of the cover 14 for
whiteness and protection. Also, a logo marking may be applied to
the base coat or top coat. The finished golf ball 20 has a weight
of 45 to 46 grams, preferably 45.65 grams. The golf ball 20 has a
PGA compression of 65 to 90 points, preferably 75 to 85 points, and
most preferably 80 points. The golf ball 10 has a COR of 74 to 84
points, preferably 76 to 82 points, and most preferably 79 points
at 143 fps.
[0084] Table Four is a comparison of the golf ball 20 of the
present invention and other competitive golf balls on the
market.
[0085] [t4]
4 TABLE FOUR Medium Med. Speed Speed Cover 5-iron Driver Ball Core
Ball Ball Shore D Ball Ball Velocity Velocity Ball Compression COR
Rebound Hardness Compression (mph) (mph) Golf ball 20 55 0.7834
77.98 61.8 78 115.35 133.67 Precept MC 83 0.7687 76.68333 54.33333
93.625 113.626833 131.6555 Spin Precept MC 64.66667 0.787 78.01667
64.66667 91.25 114.4907 132.836167 Distance Precept MC 40.83334
0.7872 77.85 60.66667 73.70833 114.543083 132.441917 Lady Titleist
DT 74.75 0.7953 79.88333 68.66667 91.08333 114.7595 133.509667
Distance Titleist HP 54.91638 0.7712 78.41667 69 82.04167
114.115833 131.884417 Distance Titleist HP 82.58334 0.7566 75.85 64
98 112.996455 130.472167 Eclipse Staff Titanium 28.33333 0.8026
80.45 70.33333 88.91666 115.753091 133.690917 Straight Distance
Staff Smart-Core 33.41666 0.8042 80.31667 70 90.59091 115.624091
133.69725 Straight Distance Nike Distance 71.91667 0.7868 77.73333
64.66667 100.0833 114.629333 132.866167 Control Taylor Made 84.25
0.7697 79.96667 65.33333 105.1667 113.893545 131.928833 Intergel
Pro Distance Slazenger Raw 81.5 0.8036 79.93333 70 104.0833
115.33075 143.276917 Distance 3 Strata 47.25 0.7873 77.93333 65
99.75 114.565455 132.755333 Distance 90
[0086] The ball compression for each golf ball in Table Four was
measured using the PGA compression test described above for several
golf balls and taking the mean value. The core compression for each
golf ball in Table Four was measured by removing the cover and
subjecting the core of each golf ball to a PGA compression test as
described above for several golf balls and taking the mean value.
The Ball COR for each golf ball in Table Four was measured by
firing each golf ball at 143 fps at a solid wall as described above
for several golf balls and taking the mean value. The cover
hardness for each golf ball in Table Four was measured on the land
surface of the golf ball using a Shore D durometer as described
above for several golf balls and taking the mean value. The ball
rebound for each golf ball in Table Four was measured by dropping
each golf ball at a predetermined height at a solid floor as
measuring the rebound for several golf balls and taking the mean
value. The medium speed 5-iron ball velocity for each golf ball in
Table Two was determined by hitting each golf ball with a Callaway
Golf.RTM. STEELHEAD.TM. X-14.RTM. five iron at a speed of
approximately 79 miles per hour (MPH) for several golf balls and
taking the mean value. The medium speed driver ball velocity for
each golf ball in Table Two was determined by hitting each golf
ball with a Callaway Golf.RTM. BIG BERTHA.RTM. HAWK EYE.RTM.
VFT.TM. ten degree driver at a speed of approximately 90 miles per
hour (MPH) for several golf balls and taking the mean value.
[0087] As shown in FIG. 13, the golf ball 20 of the present
invention is the only golf ball that has a Shore D hardness less
than 64 and a ball velocity off a driver at a medium speed that is
greater than 132.7 mph. More specifically, the golf ball 20 of the
present invention is the only golf ball that has a Shore D hardness
less than 63 and a ball velocity off a driver at a medium speed
that is greater than 133.0 mph. Most specifically, the golf ball 20
of the present invention is the only golf ball that has a Shore D
hardness less than 62 and a ball velocity off a driver at a medium
speed that is greater than 133.5 mph.
[0088] As shown in FIG. 14, the golf ball 20 of the present
invention is the only golf ball that has a Shore D hardness less
than 68 and a ball velocity off a five-iron at a medium speed that
is greater than 115.0 mph. More specifically, the golf ball 20 of
the present invention is the only golf ball that has a Shore D
hardness less than 64 and a ball velocity off a five-iron at a
medium speed that is greater than 115.0 mph. Most specifically, the
golf ball 20 of the present invention is the only golf ball that
has a Shore D hardness less than 62 and a ball velocity off a five
iron at a medium speed that is greater than 115.5 mph.
[0089] From the foregoing it is believed that those skilled in the
pertinent art will recognize the meritorious advancement of this
invention and will readily understand that while the present
invention has been described in association with a preferred
embodiment thereof, and other embodiments illustrated in the
accompanying drawings, numerous changes, modifications and
substitutions of equivalents may be made therein without departing
from the spirit and scope of this invention which is intended to be
unlimited by the foregoing except as may appear in the following
appended claims. Therefore, the embodiments of the invention in
which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined in
the following appended claims.
* * * * *
References