Golf ball comprising a metal, ceramic, or composite mantle or inner layer

• US 6,142,887 A
• Filed: 02/20/1998
• Issued: 11/07/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
• Original Assignee: Spalding Sports Worldwide, Inc. (Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated)
• Inventors: Sullivan, Michael J., Nesbitt, R. Dennis
• Primary Examiner(s): Chapman, Jeanette
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHAMBERS, MICHAEL S
• Application Number:
  US09/027,482
• Time in Patent Office: 991 Days
• Field of Search: 473/373, 473/374, 473/376, 473/358, 473/378, 473/370, 473/365
• US Class Current: 473/374
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2037/085 liquid, jellylike
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2209/08 magnetic
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/00 Solid balls; Rigid hollow balls; Marbles heavy throwing balls A63B65/06
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0003 Golf balls
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0037 Flexural modulus; Bending stiffness
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0039 characterised by the material
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0045 Thickness
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0052 Liquid cores
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0076 Multi-piece balls, i.e. having two or more intermediate layers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/08 Liquid cores; Plastic cores
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/12 Special coverings , i.e. outer layer material balls with finger holes A63B37/0001, golf ball covers A63B37/0023
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/00 Balls with special arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 45/00 Apparatus or methods for manufacturing balls working of plastics or substances in a plastic state B29

Abstract

A unique golf ball and related methods of manufacturing are disclosed in which the golf ball comprises one or more mantle layers comprising one or more metals, ceramic, or composite materials. Composite materials include silicone carbide, glass, carbon, boron carbide, aramid materials, cotton, flax, jute, hemp, silk, and combinations thereof. The golf ball may also comprise an optional polymeric spherical substrate inwardly disposed relative to the one or more mantle layers. The golf balls according to the present invention exhibit improved spin, feel, and acoustic properties. Furthermore, the one or more interior mantle layers prevent, or at least significantly minimize, coefficient of restitution loss from the golf ball, while also significantly increasing the moment of inertia of the golf ball.

Claims

1. A golf ball comprising:

a core;

a thin spherical mantle encompassing said core, said mantle comprising (i) a polymeric material selected from the group consisting of epoxy-based materials, thermoset materials, nylon-based materials, styrene materials, thermoplastic materials, and combinations thereof, and (ii) a reinforcing material randomly dispersed throughout said polymeric material, said reinforcing material being selected from the group consisting of silicon carbide, glass, carbon, boron carbide, aramid materials, cotton, flax, jute, hemp, silk, and combinations thereof, wherein said mantle has a thickness in the range of from about 0.001 inch to about 0.100 inch, and

a polymeric outer cover disposed about said mantle, said polymeric cover comprising a material selected from the group consisting of a high acid ionomer, a low acid ionomer, an ionomer blend, a non-ionomeric elastomer, a thermoset material, and combinations thereof.

2. The golf ball of claim 1 wherein said thermoset material of said mantle is selected from the group consisting of a polyimide thermoset, a silicone thermoset, a vinyl ester thermoset, a polyester thermoset, a melamine thermoset, and combinations thereof.

3. The golf ball of claim 1 wherein said nylon-based material is selected from the group consisting of nylon 6, nylon 6/10, nylon 6/6, nylon 11, and combinations thereof.

4. The golf ball of claim 1 wherein said styrene material is selected from the group consisting of acrylonitrile-butadiene styrene, polystyrene, styrene-acrylonitrile, styrene-maleic anhydride, and combinations thereof.

5. The golf ball of claim 1 wherein said thermoplastic material is selected from the group consisting of acetal copolymer, polycarbonate, liquid crystal polymer, polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutylene terephthalate, polyethylene terephthalate, polyphenylene, polyaryl, polyether, and combinations thereof.

6. The golf ball of claim 1 wherein said mantle has a thickness ranging from about 0.010 inch to about 0.030 inch.

7. The golf ball of claim 1 further comprising:

an innermost polymeric spherical substrate, said spherical substrate disposed adjacent to said inner surface of said mantle.