Customizable golf ball and method of providing a customizable golf ball

• US 9,522,307 B2
• Filed: 02/29/2012
• Issued: 12/20/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 02/29/2012
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Feng TAY Enterprises Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Yeh, Shi-Hsien, Liu, Chen-Tai
• Primary Examiner(s): Gorden, Raeann
• Application Number:
  US13/408,193
• Publication Number:
  US 20130225332A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,756 Days
• Field of Search: 473/409, 473/351
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0003 Golf balls
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0031 Hardness
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0039 characterised by the material
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0043 Hardness
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0062 Hardness
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0075 Three piece balls, i.e. cover, intermediate layer and core
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0092 Hardness distribution amongst different ball layers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0097 Layers interlocking by means of protrusions or inserts, lattices or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 45/00 Apparatus or methods for manufacturing balls working of plastics or substances in a plastic state B29
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 45/02 Marking of balls

Abstract

The present disclosure is directed to a golf ball and a method for providing a golf ball that is customizable by a golfer to achieve a golfer'"'"'s desired playing characteristics. The customizable golf ball includes multiple layers of customizable thermoplastic or thermoset materials in varying hardness levels that may be assembled by the golfer to achieve a desired feel in play. After play, the customizable golf ball may be disassembled to again vary the playing characteristics of the ball by substituting layers of varying hardness levels, or to simply replace old or worn out parts.

Claims

1. A method of assembling a customized golf ball comprising:

providing an inner core piece, wherein the inner core piece comprises a first hardness;

assembling at least two preformed intermediate layer pieces about the inner core piece, wherein the at least two intermediate layer pieces comprise a second hardness that is different than the first hardness, wherein interior surfaces of the at least two preformed intermediate layer pieces are configured to interlock with an exterior surface of the inner core piece, and wherein the at least two intermediate pieces form a sphere when joined together;

assembling at least two preformed cover pieces about the at least two preformed intermediate layer pieces, wherein the at least two cover pieces comprise a third hardness, wherein interior surfaces of the at least two preformed cover pieces are configured to interlock with an exterior surface of the at least two intermediate layer pieces, and wherein the at least two cover pieces form a sphere when joined together; and

wherein the at least two cover pieces further comprise threaded edges, and wherein the threaded edges are configured to engage with each other.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising providing a thermoplastic adhesive for connecting the inner core piece, the at least two intermediate layer pieces and the at least two cover pieces.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the inner core further comprises a plurality of apertures for receiving a plurality of tenons.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the interior surfaces of the at least two intermediate layer pieces further comprise a plurality of apertures for receiving the plurality of tenons.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first hardness is less than the second hardness.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least two intermediate layer pieces comprise four adjoining quarter spheres.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least two intermediate layer pieces comprise two adjoining half spheres.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first hardness is in a range from about 30 to about 65 Shore D, wherein the second hardness is in a range from about 40 to about 80 Shore D, and wherein the third hardness is in a range from about 25 to about 60 Shore D.

9. The method according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of tenons comprise a fourth hardness, and wherein the fourth hardness is different than the first hardness.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the inner core piece includes a plurality of arcuate protrusions, wherein the arcuate protrusions are evenly spaced around the inner core piece, and wherein the arcuate protrusions begin at one pole of the inner core piece and end at an opposite pole of the inner core piece.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the inner core piece comprises four arcuate protrusions.

12. The method according to claim 10, wherein the interior surfaces of the at least two intermediate pieces further comprise a plurality of grooves, wherein the plurality of grooves are spaced to receive the arcuate protrusions of the inner core piece.

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the exterior surfaces of the at least two intermediate layer pieces include a plurality of arcuate protrusions, wherein, when the at least two intermediate layer pieces are joined to form a sphere, the arcuate protrusions are evenly spaced around the sphere and begin at a pole of the sphere and end at an opposite pole of the sphere.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the interior surfaces of the at least two cover pieces further comprise a plurality of grooves, wherein the plurality of grooves are spaced to receive the arcuate protrusions of the at least two intermediate layer pieces.

15. A method of assembling a customized golf ball comprising:

providing an inner core piece, wherein the inner core piece includes a plurality of arcuate protrusions, wherein the arcuate protrusions are evenly spaced around the inner core piece, and wherein the arcuate protrusions begin at one pole of the inner core piece and end at an opposite pole of the inner core piece;

assembling at least two preformed intermediate layer pieces about the inner core piece, wherein the at least two preformed intermediate layer pieces form an intermediate layer spherical cover for the inner core piece, wherein each intermediate layer piece comprises an interior surface and an exterior surface, wherein the interior surfaces of the intermediate layer pieces include a plurality of grooves, wherein the plurality of grooves are spaced to receive the arcuate protrusions of the inner core piece;

assembling at least two preformed cover pieces about the intermediate layer spherical cover, wherein the at least two preformed cover pieces form a spherical cover for the at least two intermediate layer pieces, wherein each cover piece comprises an interior surface and an exterior surface, wherein the interior surfaces of the at least two cover pieces are configured to mate with the exterior surfaces of the at least two intermediate layer pieces; and

wherein the at least two cover pieces further comprise threaded edges, and wherein the threaded edges are configured to engage with each other.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein:

the exterior surfaces of the at least two intermediate layer pieces include a plurality of arcuate protrusions, wherein the arcuate protrusions are evenly spaced around the at least two intermediate layer pieces, and when the at least two intermediate layer pieces are together, the arcuate protrusions of the intermediate layer pieces begin at one pole of the intermediate layer spherical cover and end at an opposite pole of the intermediate layer spherical cover; and

the interior surfaces of the at least two cover pieces include a plurality of grooves, wherein the plurality of grooves are spaced to receive the arcuate protrusions of the at least two intermediate layer pieces.