Golf ball comprising a metal mantle having a hollow interior

• US 6,309,312 B1
• Filed: 11/07/1997
• Issued: 10/30/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
• Original Assignee: Spalding Sports Worldwide, Inc. (Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated)
• Inventors: Sullivan, Michael J., Nesbitt, R. Dennis
• Primary Examiner(s): Graham, Mark S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Gorden, Raeann
• Application Number:
  US08/966,446
• Time in Patent Office: 1,453 Days
• Field of Search: 473/358, 473/360, 473/375, 473/372
• US Class Current: 473/375
• 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 37/0024 Materials other than ionomers or polyurethane
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0033 Thickness
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0045 Thickness
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0076 Multi-piece balls, i.e. having two or more intermediate layers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0098 Rigid hollow balls, e.g. for pétanque
• 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 metal mantle layers that define a hollow interior within the ball. The golf ball may also comprise an optional polymeric hollow spherical substrate inwardly disposed relative to the one or more metal mantle layers. The golf balls according to the present invention exhibit improved spin, feel, and acoustic properties. Furthermore, the one or more interior metal layers prevent, or at least significantly minimize, coefficient of restitution loss from the golf ball.

Claims

1. A golf ball having a hollow spherical center, said ball comprising:

a spherical metal mantle having an inner surface and an outer surface opposite from said inner surface, said mantle having a thickness from about 0.001 inches to less than 0.02 inches; and

a polymeric outer cover disposed about said mantle and proximate to said outer surface, said polymeric cover comprising a material selected from the group consisting of a low acid ionomer, a non-ionomeric thermoplastic elastomer, and a blend of said low acid ionomer and said non-ionomeric thermoplastic elastomer; and

further comprising;

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

2. The golf ball of claim 1 wherein said mantle comprises at least one metal selected from the group consisting of steel, titanium, chromiun, nickel, and alloys thereof.

3. The golf ball of claim 2 wherein said mantle comprises a nickel titanium alloy.

4. The golf ball of claim 1 wherein said thickness ranges from about 0.005 to less than 0.02 inches.

5. The golf ball of claim 4 wherein said thickness ranges from about 0.005 inches to about 0.010 inches.

6. The golf ball of claim 1 wherein said outer cover has a modulus ranging from about 1000 psi to about 10,000 psi.

7. The golf ball of claim 1 wherein the polymeric outer cover comprises a material selected from the group consisting of a low acid ionomer and a blend of said low acid ionomer and a non-ionomeric thermoplastic elastomer, said low acid ionomer comprising less than 16% acid.

8. The golf ball of claim 1 further comprising:

a gas disposed within said substrate, said gas having a pressure of at least about 1 atmosphere at 70°

F.

9. The golf ball of claim 1 wherein said substrate has a thickness from about 0.005 inches to about 0.010 inches.

10. The golf ball of claim 1 further comprising:

a gas disposed within said polymeric hollow spherical substrate, said gas having a pressure greater than 1 atmosphere at 70°

F.

11. A golf ball having a hollow interior, said ball comprising:

a polymeric hollow spherical substrate, said substrate having an inner surface defining said hollow interior and an outer surface;

a spherical metal mantle having an inner surface directed toward said outer surface of said spherical substrate, and an oppositely directed outer surface; and

a polymeric outer cover having an inner surface directed toward said outer surface of said metal mantle and immediately adjacent thereto, and an oppositely opposed directed outer surface, wherein said outer cover has a modulus ranging from about 1000 psi to about 10,000 psi.

12. The golf ball of claim 11 wherein said mantle comprises at least one metal selected from the group consisting of steel, titanium, chromium, nickel, and alloys thereof.

13. The golf ball of claim 11 wherein said mantle has a uniform thickness ranging from about 0.001 inches to about 0.050 inches.

14. The golf ball of claim 11 wherein said mantle comprises:

a first spherical metal shell providing said inner surface; and

a second spherical metal shell providing said outer surface, said second shell disposed adjacent to said first shell.

15. The golf ball of claim 11 wherein said substrate has a thickness from about 0.005 inches to about 0.010 inches.

16. The golf ball of claim 11 further comprising:

a gas disposed within said hollow interior of said polymeric spherical substrate whereby the pressure of said gas is greater than 1 atmosphere at 70°

F.

17. A golf ball having a hollow interior, said ball comprising:

a polymeric hollow spherical substrate, said substrate having an inner surface defining said hollow interior and an outer surface;

a spherical metal mantle having an inner surface directed toward said outer surface of said spherical substrate, and an oppositely directed outer surface; and

a polymeric outer cover having an inner surface directed toward said outer surface of said metal mantle and immediately adjacent thereto, and an oppositely opposed directed outer surface, wherein the polymeric outer cover comprises a low acid ionomer comprising less than 16 weight percent acid.

18. The golf ball of claim 17 wherein said mantle comprises at least one metal selected from the group consisting of steel, titanium, chromium, nickel, and alloys thereof.

19. The golf ball of claim 18 wherein said mantle comprises a nickel titanium alloy.

20. The golf ball of claim 17 wherein said mantle has a uniform thickness ranging from about 0.001 inches to about 0.050 inches.

21. The golf ball of claim 20 wherein said thickness ranges from about 0.005 inches to about 0.050 inches.

22. The golf ball of claim 21 wherein said thickness ranges from about 0.005 inches to about 0.010 inches.

23. The golf ball of claim 17 wherein said mantle comprises:

a first spherical metal shell providing said inner surface; and

a second spherical metal shell providing said outer surface, said second shell disposed adjacent to said first shell.

24. The golf ball of claim 23 wherein said first shell and said second shell independently comprise a metal selected from the group consisting of steel, titanium, chromium, nickel, and alloys thereof.

25. The golf ball of claim 24 wherein at least one of said first shell and said second shell comprise a nickel titanium alloy.

26. The golf ball of claim 17 wherein said substrate has a thickness from about 0.005 inches to about 0.010 inches.

27. The golf ball of claim 17 further comprising:

a gas disposed within said hollow interior of said polymeric spherical substrate whereby the pressure of said gas is greater than 1 atmosphere at 70°

F.

28. A golf ball having a hollow spherical center, said ball comprising:

a spherical metal mantle comprising a first spherical metal shell providing an inner mantle surface and a second spherical metal shell providing an outer mantle surface, said second shell disposed adjacent to said first shell; and

a polymeric outer dimpled cover disposed about said mantle and proximate to said outer mantle surface, said polymeric cover comprising a material selected from the group consisting of a low acid ionomer, a non-ionomeric thermoplastic elastomer, and a bled of said low acid ionomer and said non-ionomeric thermoplastic elastomer; and

further comprising;

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

29. The golf ball of claim 28 wherein said first shell and said second shell independently comprise a metal selected from the group consisting of steel, titanium, chromium, nickel, and alloys thereof.

30. The golf ball of claim 29 wherein at least one of said first shell and said second shell comprise a nickel titanium alloy.

31. The golf ball of claim 28 wherein said substrate has a thickness from about 0.005 inches to about 0.010 inches.

32. The golf ball of claim 28 further comprising:

a gas disposed within said polymeric hollow spherical substrate, said gas having a pressure greater than 1 atmosphere at 70°

F.