Golf ball and a method for controlling the spin rate of same

• US 6,494,795 B2
• Filed: 03/23/2001
• Issued: 12/17/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Acushnet Company (FILA Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Acushnet Company (FILA Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Sullivan, Michael J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sewell, Paul T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HUNTER, ALVIN A
• Application Number:
  US09/815,753
• Publication Number:
  US 20020173382A1
• Time in Patent Office: 634 Days
• Field of Search: 473/351-377
• US Class Current: 473/372
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0003 Golf balls
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0022 Coatings, e.g. paint films; Markings
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0027 Polyurea
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0033 Thickness
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0034 Deflection or compression
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0035 Density; Specific gravity
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0045 Thickness
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0046 Deflection or compression
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0047 Density; Specific gravity
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0052 Liquid cores
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0054 Substantially rigid, e.g. metal
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0064 Diameter
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0065 Deflection or compression
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0066 Density; Specific gravity
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0087 Deflection or compression
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0091 Density distribution amongst the different ball layers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/02 Special cores balls with finger holes A63B37/0001, golf ball cores A63B37/005

Abstract

A golf ball with a precise spin rate is disclosed. The distribution of weight among the layers within the golf ball relative to a centroid radius is realized to precisely control the moment of inertia of the ball. In accordance to one aspect of the present invention, a high spin rate golf ball with a dense center, which is positioned radially inside of the centroid radius, and a low specific gravity mantle is provided. In accordance to another aspect of the present invention, a low spin rate golf ball with an inner core and a thin dense layer disposed radially outside of the centroid radius is provided.

Claims

1. A ball comprising an inner core having a specific gravity of greater than 1.8 encased within a first mantle surrounding the inner core, wherein a portion of the first mantle comprises a low specific gravity layer having a specific gravity of less than 0.9, and a cover layer having a specific gravity of less than 0.95.

2. The ball of claim 1, wherein the specific gravity of the inner core is greater than 2.0.

3. The ball of claim 2, wherein the specific gravity of the inner core is greater than 2.5.

4. The ball of claim 3, wherein the specific gravity of the inner core is greater than 5.0.

5. The ball of claim 4, wherein the specific gravity of the inner core is greater than 10.0.

6. The ball of claim 1, wherein the inner core is a solid metal structure.

7. The ball of claim 1, wherein the cover has a specific gravity of less than 0.90.

8. The ball of claim 1, wherein the cover comprises an outer cover layer and at least one inner cover layer, wherein the at least one inner cover layer has a specific gravity of greater than 0.90.

9. The ball of claim 8, wherein the mantle has a specific gravity of less than 0.8.

10. The ball of claim 1, further comprising a second mantle disposed radially outside of the inner core, wherein the second mantle has a specific gravity of greater than 0.9.

11. The ball of claim 10, wherein the second mantle is disposed between the inner core and the first mantle.

12. The ball of claim 1, further comprising a second mantle disposed radially outside of the inner core, wherein the second mantle is a low specific gravity layer and has a specific gravity of less than 0.9.

13. The ball of claim 1, wherein the first mantle is made from a thermoplastic material.

14. The ball of claim 1, wherein the first mantle is made from a thermosetting material.

15. The ball of claim 1, wherein the first mantle is made from a material selected from a group consisting of epoxy, urethane, polyester, polyurethane, or polyurea.

16. The ball of claim 15, wherein the first mantle is made by cast, reaction injection method, sprayed, dipped, injected or compression molded method.

17. The ball of claim 1, wherein the low specific gravity layer comprises a specific gravity reducing agent.

18. The ball of claim 17, wherein the specific gravity reducing agent comprises a foamed particulate.

19. The ball of claim 17, wherein the specific gravity reducing agent comprises a filler.

20. The ball of claim 17, wherein the specific gravity reducing agent comprises microspheres.

21. The ball of claim 17, wherein the specific gravity reducing agent comprises a nucleated reaction injection molded polymer.

22. The ball of claim 1, wherein the inner core has a diameter from 1.5 mm to 20 mm.

23. The ball of claim 22, wherein the diameter ranges from 3 mm to 15 mm.

24. The ball of claim 1, wherein the outer diameter of the inner core is located radially inward from a centroid radius.

25. The ball of claim 1, wherein the inner core is a dense hollow shell and the outer radius of the shell is located radially inward from a centroid radius.

26. The ball of claim 25, wherein the inner radius of the shell is greater than 5 mm.