IP Library Granted Patent US 7,044,865
Granted Patent B2
US 7,044,865 · App. 10/768,027 · Granted May 16, 2006

Golf ball

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,044,865
App. No.
10/768,027
Granted
May 16, 2006
Kind
B2
Abstract

Golf ball 1 has a core 2 and a cover 3 . The core 2 is composed of a center 4 and a mid layer 5 . Numerous dimples 6 are formed on the surface of the cover 3 . Base polymer of this cover 3 includes a thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer as a principal component. Shore D hardness of this cover 3 is 30 or greater and 55 or less. Surface area occupation ratio Y of these dimples 6 is equal to or greater than 0.80. Total volume V of these dimples 6 is 300 mm 3 or greater and 700 mm 3 or less. Average volume Va that is a value derived through dividing this total volume V by total number of the dimples is equal to or greater than 1.30 mm 3 . Average curvature R that is a mean value of the curvature r of the cross-sectional shape of these dimples 6 is equal to or greater than 16 mm. Average occupation ratio y that is a value derived through dividing the surface area occupation ratio Y by total number N of the dimples is equal to or greater than 0.0022.

Claims (29)

1. A golf ball, which comprises a center, a mid layer, a cover and numerous dimples formed on the surface of the cover, wherein thickness of the mid layer is 0.5 mm or greater and 4.0 mm or less,

Shore D hardness of the mid layer is 55 or greater and 70 or less,

a base polymer of the cover includes a thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer as a principal component,

Shore D hardness of the cover is 30 or greater and 55 or less,

difference (H m −H c ) between Shore D hardness H m of the mid layer and Shore D hardness H c of the cover is 5 or greater and 40 or less,

surface area occupation ratio Y of the dimples is 0.80 or greater and 0.90 or less,

total volume V of the dimples is 300 mm 3 or greater and 700 mm 3 or less, and

average volume Va that is a value derived through dividing the total volume V by total number N of the dimples is equal to or greater than 1.30 mm 3 .

2. The golf ball according to claim 1 wherein average curvature R that is a mean value of the curvature r of the cross-sectional shape of said dimples is equal to or greater than 16 mm.

3. The golf ball according to claim 1 wherein average occupation ratio y that is a value derived through dividing said surface area occupation ratio Y by total number N of the dimples is equal to or greater than 0.0022.

4. The golf ball according to claim 1 wherein a summation X of the contour length x of said dimples and the surface area occupation ratio Y satisfy the relationship represented by the following formula (I)

X≦ 3882 *Y+ 1495  (I).

5. The golf ball according to claim 1 wherein percentage of number of dimples having the contour length x of equal to or greater than 10.5 mm accounts for equal to or greater than 91% of total number of the dimples.

6. The golf ball according to claim 1 wherein the base polymer of said cover includes a thermoplastic polyamide elastomer.

7. A golf ball, which comprises a center, a mid layer, a cover and numerous dimples formed on the surface of the cover, wherein

thickness of the mid layer is 0.5 mm or greater and 4.0 mm or less,

Shore D hardness of the mid layer is 55 or greater and 70 or less,

a base polymer of the cover includes a thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer and a thermoplastic polyamide elastomer as a principal component,

weight ratio of both components is 70/30 or greater and 95/5 or less,

Shore D hardness of the cover is 30 or greater and 55 or less,

difference (H m −H c ) between Shore D hardness H m of the mid layer and Shore D hardness H c of the cover is 5 or greater and 40 or less,

surface area occupation ratio Y of the dimples is 0.80 or greater and 0.90 or less,

total volume of V of the dimples is 300 mm 3 or greater and 700 mm 3 or less, and

average volume Va that is a value derived through dividing the total volume V by total number N of the dimples is equal to or greater than 1.30 mm 3 .

8. The golf ball according to claim 7 wherein average curvature R that is a mean value of the curvature r of the cross-sectional shape of said dimples is equal to or greater than 16 mm.

9. The golf ball according to claim 7 wherein average occupation ratio y that is a value derived through dividing said surface area occupation ratio Y by total number N of the dimples is equal to or greater than 0.0022.

10. The golf ball according to claim 7 wherein a summation X of the contour length x of said dimples and the surface area occupation ratio Y satisfy the relationship represented by the following formula (I)

X≦ 3882 *Y+ 1495  (I).

11. The golf ball according to claim 7 wherein percentage of number of dimples having the contour length x of equal to or greater than 10.5 mm accounts for equal to or greater than 91% of total number of the dimples.

Assignments (4)
MERGER Recorded Apr 17, 2018
From: DUNLOP SPORTS CO. LTD.
To: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
Reel/Frame 045959/0204 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Apr 12, 2018
From: SRI SPORTS LIMITED
To: DUNLOP SPORTS CO. LTD.
Reel/Frame 045932/0024 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 16, 2005
From: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
To: SRI SPORTS LIMITED
Reel/Frame 016561/0471 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 2, 2004
From: SASAKI, TAKASHI; MORIYAMA, KEIJI
To: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
Reel/Frame 014951/0842 →