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

• US 6,612,939 B1
• Filed: 09/14/2000
• Issued: 09/02/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
• Original Assignee: Top-Flite Golf Company (Callaway Golf Company)
• Inventors: Sullivan, Michael J., Nesbitt, R. Dennis
• Primary Examiner(s): Graham, Mark
• Assistant Examiner(s): Gorden, Raeann
• Application Number:
  US09/662,379
• Time in Patent Office: 1,083 Days
• Field of Search: 473/374, 473/373, 473/370, 473/376, 473/375, 473/377, 473/371, 473/372
• 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. 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 movement of inertia of the golf ball.

Claims

1. A golf ball comprising:

a core;

a spherical mantle encompassing said core, said mantle having a thickness from about 0.001 inch to about 0.100 inch, 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 dispersed throughout said polymeric material; and

a polymeric outer cover disposed about said mantle, said outer cover having a modulus from about 1000 psi to about 10,000 psi, 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 reinforcing material is selected from the group consisting of silicon carbide, glass, carbon, boron carbide, aramid materials, cotton, flax, jute, hemp, silk, and combinations thereof.

3. The golf ball of claim 1 wherein said polymeric outer cover comprises a low acid ionomer of less than 16 weight percent acid.

4. The golf ball of claim 1 wherein said polymeric outer cover comprises a high acid ionomer of greater than 16 weight percent acid.

5. The golf ball of claim 1 further comprising:

an innermost polymeric hollow spherical substrate having a thickness from about 0.005 inches to about 0.010 inches, said spherical substrate disposed adjacent to said inner surface of said mantle.

6. A golf ball comprising:

a core;

a vitreous mantle enclosing said core, wherein said vitreous mantle comprises a ceramic selected from the group consisting of silica, soda lime, lead silicate, borosilicate, aluminoborosilicate, aluminosilicate, and combinations thereof;

a second mantle proximate said vitreous mantle, wherein said second mantle comprises 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

a polymeric outer cover disposed about said mantle.

7. The golf ball of claim 6 wherein said vitreous mantle comprises a reinforcing material dispersed within said mantle.

8. The golf ball of claim 7 wherein said reinforcing material is selected from the group consisting of silicon carbide, glass, carbon, boron carbide, aramid materials, cotton, flax, jute, hemp, silk, and combinations thereof.

9. The golf ball of claim 6 wherein said polymeric outer cover comprises a high acid ionomer of greater than about 16 weight percent acid.

10. The golf ball of claim 6 wherein said polymeric outer cover comprises a low acid ionomer of less than about 16 weight percent acid.

11. A golf ball comprising:

a core;

a vitreous mantle enclosing said core, wherein said vitreous mantle comprises a ceramic selected from the group consisting of silica, soda lime, lead silicate, borosilicate, aluminoborosilicate, aluminosilicate, and combinations thereof;

a second mantle proximate said vitreous mantle, said second mantle comprising a metal; and

a polymeric outer cover disposed about said mantle.

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

13. The golf ball of claim 12 wherein said second mantle comprises a nickel titanium alloy.

14. The golf ball of claim 11 wherein said vitreous mantle comprises a reinforcing material dispersed within said mantle.

15. The golf ball of claim 14 wherein said reinforcing material is selected from the group consisting of silicon carbide, glass, carbon, boron carbide, aramid materials, cotton, flax, jute, hemp, silk, and combinations thereof.

16. The golf ball of claim 11 wherein said polymeric cover comprises a high acid ionomer of greater than about 16 weight percent acid.

17. The golf ball of claim 11 wherein said polymeric cover comprises a low acid ionomer of less than about 16 weight percent acid.