JP2002325861A - Selectively weighted golf ball - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a golf ball with a geometrically shaped core having improved game performance, for instance, designed so as to enable a player to give a preferable spin speed to the ball. SOLUTION: This golf ball includes a preliminarily formed and selectively weighted inner core insert 10, outer cores 15, 20 formed on the inner core insert 10, and a cover 25 equipped around the periphery of the outer cores 15, 20.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to golf balls, and more particularly, to selectively weighted golf balls.

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Conventional golf balls have been designed to provide special playing characteristics. These characteristics typically include the initial speed, compression ratio, and spin of the golf ball, and can be optimized for various types of players. For example, some players prefer a ball with a high spin rate to control the ball's flight and stop the golf ball on the green. However, this type of ball usually does not provide the maximum flight distance. Other athletes prefer balls that exhibit low spin rates and high resiliency to maximize distance. Early solid golf balls generally consisted of a hard core and a hard cover. Generally, when the golf ball includes a soft core and a hard cover, the ball has a low spin rate. When the golf ball includes a hard core and a hard cover, the ball exhibits extremely high resiliency to achieve distance, but has a "hard" feel and is difficult to control on the green. Further, if the golf ball includes a hard core and a soft cover, the ball will have a high spin rate. The most recently developed solid balls consist of a core, at least one intermediate layer and a cover. The intermediate layer improves the playing characteristics of a solid ball and may be made of a thermoset or thermoplastic material.

[0003] Typically, solid golf ball cores are spherical and solid. Efforts to improve the spin rate of the ball have altered the mass distribution within the golf ball by concentrating mass within the spherical inner core or mantle near the ball surface. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a golf ball with a symmetric non-spherical mass distribution that provides unique spin rate characteristics. Some patents
Modified by non-spherical features such as holes or protrusions,
Intended for internal core. U.S. Patent No. 720,852 to Smith discloses an inner core having small solid projections protruding from the core. The core is contained in a layer of rubber and has small solid projections projecting therefrom. A layer of silk is wrapped around this and the ball is then contained within an outer cover. These non-spherical core projections anchor the rubber and silk layers and increase the resiliency of the ball as a whole, but do not exhibit a mass distribution function.

US Pat. No. 1,524,171 to Chatfield discloses a hollow spherical centered core that supports a cylindrical solid lug. A spherical casing surrounds and contacts the tip of the lug. The lugs and casing are designed such that the casing compresses the lugs within the finished ball. Fluid or a wrapped rubber band occupies the space around the lug between the spherical center and the casing. The non-spherical lugs allow for accurate placement of the center by facilitating uniform and spherical winding of the rubber band around the center, but have a mass distribution function. Absent. An outer shell surrounds the casing. UK Patent Application No. 2,162,07 granted to Slater
No. 2 discloses a golf ball having a non-spherical inner core, the inner core including a solid support member or strut diverging from a common center. The struts form a generally cubic, tetrahedral or octahedral shaped core.
The struts position the inner core symmetrically within the mold cavity, but do not perform mass distribution. The part core is molded around the inner core and a cover is formed thereon. The inner and outer cores are formed from the same or similar materials.

US Pat. No. 5,480,143 to McMurry discloses a substantially spherical training ball that includes mutually orthogonal members, which interconnect the members. , With multiple walls. These walls increase the resistance on the ball and consequently allow the use of a smaller playing area. U.S. Pat.No. 5,836,834 issued to Masutani et al. Has a low hardness inner core,
Disclosed are two-piece or three-piece golf balls that include a two-layer solid core composed of a hard outer layer bonded around the inner core. Protrusions are formed on the inner surface of the hard outer core such that they extend substantially in the normal direction. On the other hand, grooves corresponding to these projections are formed on the outer surface of the low hardness inner core. The low hardness inner core and the high hardness outer core are joined together such that the protrusion is inserted into the groove. Other patents disclose adding a peripheral mass to a golf ball to increase its moment of inertia. US Patent 5,
No. 984,806 discloses a golf ball having a visible peripheral mass mounted on a spherical inner cover. However, these patents do not disclose golf balls having a structure as described herein that provide the improved golf balls of the present invention.

[0006]

It is an object of the present invention to provide a golf ball having a core geometry designed to provide improved playing characteristics, such as spin rate. It is an object of the present invention to provide a golf ball having an inner core that further includes a preformed and selectively weighted insert. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a golf ball including a preformed, selectively weighted insert suitable for having a molded outer core on the inner core.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, a golf ball of the present invention comprises a preformed and selectively weighted inner core insert, an outer core formed on the inner core insert, and an outer core. And a cover provided around. According to one aspect of the invention, the preformed insert includes a high specific gravity center hob and a low specific gravity external element, resulting in a low moment of inertia and high spin rate ball. According to another aspect of the invention, the preformed insert includes a high specific gravity external element that creates a ball with a high moment of inertia and a low spin rate. According to a further aspect of the invention, the inner core insert includes an outer pocket thereon.
These pockets are adapted to receive a portion of the outer core material. If the outer core material has a high specific gravity, the golf ball has a high moment of inertia, and if the outer core material has a low specific gravity, the golf ball has a low moment of inertia.

[0008]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be described in more detail hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and which are to be read in combination with this description. In the accompanying drawings, like reference numerals are used to refer to like parts in the various figures. Referring to FIG. 1, a golf ball 5 of the present invention
Includes a cover 25 that is substantially spherical and has a number of dimples 27 formed on an outer surface. Referring to FIGS. 2 to 4, the golf ball 5 includes an inner core 10 and an outer core 15.
20 and cover 25 (shown without dimples). This inner core 10 has a three-dimensional outer surface,
C, including a central portion 30 and a plurality of protrusions 35. The central part 3
The 0 and the projection 35 are preferably formed in one piece, so that this inner core is an integral part. Preferably, the inner core 10 is a preformed insert, over which other materials may be molded to form the core of the golf ball. Referring to FIG. 4, the outer surface 28 of the inner core 10
Is defined by the distance in the radial direction from the center C. Around the outer surface, at least two radial distances, r _cp and r _p are different. The central portion 30 of the inner core 10
_Has a radius indicated by the arrow r _cp , the radius being the core center C
To the outer surface of the central portion. The central part 30
Is solid in this embodiment, but may be hollow as discussed below.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, each of the projections 35
Each extend radially outward from the central portion 30 and
Spaced apart from each other to define a gap 40 between them.
The protrusions 35 are such that the inner core 10 is substantially symmetric.
It is shaped. Each projection 35 has a large free end 45
And has a substantially conical shape. Each free end 45
It has an open groove 50. Each protrusion is an arrow r_pThe half indicated by
A radius from the core center C to the free end 45.
Extending to the outer surface 28. Radius of this projection r _pIs
Radius r of the central part_cpAnd different. Referring to FIG.
Groove 50 is formed by three integrated side walls 55
You. Each of the side walls 55 is shaped on a flat quadrant.
You. This quadrant is joined by a curved end 65
And two straight ends 60. In each protrusion 35, the side
Each of the walls 55 is joined at the straight end 60
You. The end 65 having the curvature of each projection has a spherical inner core.
It is possible to have a contour of

In relation to a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system, there are orthogonal x, y and z axes, each forming eight octants. Eight protrusions, one for each octant in this coordinate system
There are five. As a result, each of the protrusions 35 forms a respective octant of the skeletal sphere. Thus, the inner core is symmetric. The gap 40 comprises three orthogonal concentric rings 7
Defining a 0 _x, 70 _y, and 70 _z. The subscript number for reference number 70 is
Shows its central axis bounded by the ring. Returning to FIGS. 2 and 4, the outer core includes a first portion 15 and a second portion 20. The first portion 15 fills the gap 40 around the protrusion 35 and is located between the side walls 55 of the adjacent protrusion 35. The diameter of the core, including the inner and outer cores, is about 1.68 in.
Preferably, it has a diameter in the range of about 2.54 cm (1.00 in) to about 4.17 cm (1.64 in).

The second portion 20 fills the groove 50 of each protrusion 35 and is provided between the side walls 55 of the single protrusion 35. The outer core terminates the free end 45 of each projection 35 at the same height. The outer core has a substantially spherical outer surface. The cover 25 is formed around the inner core 10 and the outer core portions 15 and 20. Thus, both the inner and outer cores are in contact with the cover. Referring to FIG. 2, the formation of a golf ball begins with the manufacture of the inner core 10. As discussed above, inner core 10 is preferably preformed as an insert. The inner core 1
The outer core parts 15 and 20, and the cover 25 are manufactured by compression molding, injection molding and casting. These methods for manufacturing such cores and covers are well known in the art.

The inner and outer core materials preferably have substantially different material properties, so that there is a predetermined relationship between the inner and outer cores,
Achieve the desired playing characteristics of the ball, for example, the spin rate of the ball. For example, the inner core 10 can be made from a low specific gravity material having a specific gravity of less than 0.9, preferably less than 0.8. On the other hand, the outer core portion 20 is preferably greater than 1.2, more preferably greater than 1.5, and most preferably 1.8
It is preferable to use a high-specific-gravity material having a specific gravity that exceeds Since the outer core portion 20 has a higher density and is located more radially inward than the inner core 10, the ball 5 has a higher moment of inertia and a lower spin rate.

The outer core portion 15, like the inner core 10, can be made of a material having a low specific gravity. In this example, the outer core 20 has the greatest specific gravity and contributes the most to the high moment of inertia of the ball. On the other hand, the outer core portion 15 has a total ball mass of about 45.9 g (1.62 oz).
The outer core 20 can have the same specific gravity as long as the specific mass does not exceed a certain USGA specified mass. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 6, the outer core portion 15 can be divided into two bands 15a and 15b. Preferably, zone 15b has a high specific gravity above 1.2, more preferably above 1.5, and most preferably above 1.8. The band 15b can have a specific gravity similar to that of the inner core 10. Similarly, the outer core part 20
Can have a high specific gravity band and a low specific gravity band.
Alternatively, the protrusions 35 of the inner core 10 can be made of a high specific gravity material, while the remainder of the inner core 10 is made of a low specific gravity material so as to have a high moment of inertia.

Further, to distribute mass toward the outer core, the inner core 10 may include a hollow cavity 72, as shown in FIG. The cavity 72 of the inner core 10 can be filled with a low density liquid, such as an inorganic or lubricating oil, vegetable oil, methanol, ethanol, ammonia, etc., so long as the selected liquid does not react with the surrounding materials. On the other hand, to produce a low moment of inertia or high spin rate ball, the central portion 30 of the inner core 10 can be made of a high specific gravity material, while the protrusion 35, the outer core portion 15 or the core portion 20 or these three. Any combination of the components can be made of a low specific gravity material. Preferably, the central portion 30 can have a specific gravity greater than 1.2, more preferably greater than 1.5, and most preferably greater than 1.8. Preferably, the low specific gravity material is
It has a specific gravity of less than 0.9 and more preferably less than 0.8.
The central portion 30 can also preferably be filled with a non-reactive, high density liquid, such as glycerin or carbon tetrachloride. As shown in FIG. 8, the cavity 72 of the central portion 30 has an envelope 74 containing a fluid 76. Advantageously, the envelope 74 can be made from a material capable of containing and isolating the reactive liquid so that it can be used.

Suitable fluids that can be used in terms of specific gravity are
Includes air, aqueous solutions, liquids, gels, foams, hot melts, other fluid materials or combinations thereof. Examples of suitable liquids are aqueous salt solutions, corn syrup,
Contains an aqueous solution of salt and corn syrup, glycol and water or oil. The liquid may further comprise a paste, a colloidal suspension, such as clay, barite, carbon black, or a salt in a water / glycol mixture dispersed in water or another liquid. Examples of suitable gels include water gelatin gels, hydrogels, water / methylcellulose gels, and gels including materials based on styrene-butadiene-styrene rubber and copolymer rubbers such as paraffinic and / or naphthenic oils. I do. Examples of suitable melts include waxes and hot melts. Hot melt is a material that is solid at or near normal room temperature, but becomes liquid at high temperatures. A high melting point is desirable because the liquid core is heated to a high temperature during molding of the inner core, outer core, and the cover. Alternatively, the liquid may be a selectively reactive liquid system that combines to form a solid. Examples of suitable reactive liquids are silicate gels, agar gels, peroxide cured polyester resins, two-part epoxy resin systems, peroxide cured liquid polybutadiene rubber compositions, reactive polyurethanes, silicones and polyesters.

Suitable inner and outer core materials are:
Thermoset resins, such as rubber, polybutadiene, polyisoprene; thermoplastic resins, such as ionomer resins, polyamides or polyesters; or thermoplastic elastomers. Suitable thermoplastic elastomers are Elf-
Atochem (Elf-Atochem), DuPont (DuPont), commercially available from various manufacturers and shell (Shell), Pebax (Pebax ^TM), Hytrel (Hytrel ^TM), thermoplastic urethane, and Kraton (Kraton ^TM) Is included. The inner and outer core materials can also be castable materials. Suitable castable materials include urethanes, polyureas, epoxies and silicones. Other suitable core and cover materials are described in U.S. Patent No. 5,919,100. The entire contents of the patent are referred to the present invention. More specifically, the low specific gravity material can be made from a plastic polymer with embedded density reducing fillers such as hollow spheres or microspheres, or can be reduced in density by foaming or the like. In addition, suitable materials include nucleated reaction injection molded polyurethane or polyurea, where a gas, typically nitrogen gas, is essentially added to the component prior to injecting the component into a closed mold. Blown into at least one component of the polyurethane, typically the prepolymer. The entire reaction takes place in the mold, giving a cured polymer with reduced specific gravity. These materials are called reaction injection molding (RIM) materials. On the other hand, the high specific gravity layer
Wrapped in high density metal or with a polymer binder,
Can be made from dense metal powder. High density metals such as steel, tungsten, lead, brass, bronze, copper, nickel, molybdenum or alloys thereof can be used.

The cover 25 should be of high toughness and high cut resistance and should be selected from materials conventionally used as golf ball covers based on predetermined performance characteristics. The cover can be formed of one or more layers, such as the ball shown in FIG. Cover materials such as ionomer resins, blends of ionomer resins, thermoplastic or thermoset urethanes, and balata can be used as is known in the art. In another embodiment of the present invention, the inner core 10 itself is in a preformed, selectively weighted structure. Preferably, the preformed, selectively weighted structure is a solid, unitary element for ease of manufacture. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as described above, the projections 35 can be made of a material different from that of the core 30 to achieve a predetermined mass distribution. This selectively weighted structure allows the core of the golf ball 5 to be overmolded with the outer core material in any suitable manner. Some preferred manufacturing methods are injection molding, compression molding, reactive injection molding and casting. This preformed insert in the present invention allows the mass of the ball to be concentrated at discrete locations near the center of the ball or the outer surface of the ball. These discontinuities are symmetrically arranged with respect to the outer surface of the ball so as not to affect the aerodynamic and rolling characteristics of the ball. The core and other mantle layers surround the preformed insert, so that they completely surround the preformed insert, or surround most of the insert, but have some surface area. Can keep these parts exposed or visible on the final surface of the ball.

Referring to FIG. 9, another embodiment of the inner core is shown. The inner core 78 includes a spherical central portion and a plurality of protrusions 80 extending radially outward from the central portion. These projections 80 include a base and a pointed free end. The projections 80 are preferably conical, that is, tapered from the base toward the free end of the cusp. These projections 80 can also have other forms such as polygons. Examples of polygons include triangles, pentagons, and hexagons. Inner core 78 is an example of a preformed insert of the present invention, which provides a ball with a high moment of inertia and low spin rate. Preferably, the projections 80 protruding from the surface 82 are made of a high density material, as described above, and the inner core 78 can be solid or filled with a low density material or liquid. More preferably, the spherical surface 82 of the core 78 is
Made from the same material as 80. In this embodiment, the spherical surface 82 and the protrusions 80 are located near the surface of the ball to maximize the moment of inertia of the ball.

FIGS. 10a, b, c and d show another embodiment of the preformed insert according to the invention, which gives a ball with a high moment of inertia. An example of a ball-rod insert is shown in FIG. Preferably, the insert 84 is made of a high density material. Because the ball 86 is significantly larger than the rod 88 and located further radially from the golf ball than the rod 88, the ball 86 imparts a higher moment of inertia to the golf ball. Advantageously, the ball 86
Since the rod 88 and the rod 88 are preferably made of the same material, the manufacturing method is simplified. The rod 88 can be hollow to further increase the moment of inertia. Alternatively, the hollow rod 88 can be filled with a low density fluid, or the rod 88 can be made of a low density material or can be filled with a low density filler.

Similarly, the ball 88 has a ball-rod structure having a mushroom-shaped structure as shown in FIG.
The moment of inertia can be increased to further increase the moment of inertia so as to obtain an anchor structure as shown in FIG.
The above discussion regarding the ball-rod insert 84:
The same applies to the mushroom type insert 90 and the anchor type insert 92. FIG. 10d shows another variation of the ball-rod structure. The webbed ball-rod insert 94 includes a plurality of balls 88 connected together by webbed legs 96. Advantageously,
The mass of the ball 88 and webbed leg 96 is distributed toward the outer periphery of the golf ball to maximize its moment of inertia. The ball 88 of the insert 94
May be increased to have a mushroom-shaped or anchor-shaped shape.

FIGS. 11a-e show a low moment of inertia embodiment for an inner core including a preformed insert according to the present invention. FIG. 11a is substantially identical to the ball-rod insert shown in FIG. 10a. The preformed insert 98 includes a plurality of low specific gravity balls 100 connected to a high specific gravity hob 104 by a rod 102. Hob 104 preferably has a specific gravity significantly higher than that of ball 100.
Suitable high and low specific gravity materials have been discussed above. Preferably, the rod 102 is also made of a low specific gravity material. Alternatively, the ball 100 or the rod 102, or both,
Can be hollow. Also, the insert 98 can have a mushroom or anchor shape. The high specific gravity insert 106 shown in FIG. 11 b is substantially the same as the insert shown in FIG. 10 d. However, the ball 108 is made of a low specific gravity material. Ball 108 and webbed leg 110 are centered
Define 112. The center 112 is suitable for receiving a high density element, such as a metal ball bearing or other heavy object. Alternatively, the center 112 can be filled with a high specific gravity moldable material. Ball 108 may also be hollow. Webbed legs 110 preferably center and maintain the ball bearings in place during the molding process. Alternatively, the insert 106 can also have a mushroom or anchor shape.

FIG. 11c shows a hob-rod insert 114, which is similar to the insert 98 of FIG. 11a, except that the insert 114 has a hob 116 and a rod 118,
It does not include the low specific gravity ball provided at the end of the rod 118. The insert 114 is preferably made of a high specific gravity material as described above. FIG. 11 d shows an insert 120, which includes a center 122 of high specific gravity surrounded by a plurality of rings 124. Ring 124 inserts 120,
Helps to locate and center in mold cavity. Similarly, the insert 126 shown in FIG. 11e has a high density hob 128 surrounded by a plurality of radially extending centering pins 130.

In yet another aspect of the present invention, FIG.
-C depict another embodiment of the preformed insert as a continuous structure with a chamber, which can be solid, hollow or partially filled. As shown in FIG. 12a, the insert 132 includes a shell 133, which includes an opening 134 on its surface. A core material can be molded around the open shell 133 and the material can penetrate into the shell through the opening 134. The insert 132 can be made of a low specific gravity material or can be hollow, and the core material can be made of a high specific gravity material to provide a low moment of inertia ball. On the other hand, insert 13
2 can be made of a high specific gravity material, and the core material is made of a low specific gravity material, which can provide a high moment of inertia ball. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 12b, the insert 132 may include a chamber 136 completely or partially filled with a high specific gravity material to provide a peripherally weighted ball. On the other hand, in FIG.
The insert 132 shown in c can have a high density hob 138 centrally located within the open shell 133. Hob 138
Can be made of a high specific gravity material, such as a metal ball bearing, and the shell 133 can be made of a low specific gravity material, or it can be hollow. Preferably, the shell 133
Can be sized and dimensioned so that it can be placed near the cover 25 of the golf ball 5.

In addition, the balls 86, 100, 108, the mushroom and anchor type heads and chambers 136, and the hobs 104, 116, 122, 128, shown in FIGS.
And the position of 138 and center 112 can be maximized if these structures are positioned relative to the radius of the center of gravity of the ball. The radius of gravity is the radial distance from the center of the ball and the moment of inertia at this radius of gravity is the result of the mass redistribution as compared to the moment of inertia of the ball without mass redistribution. ,
Turn from increase to decrease. In other words, if more ball weight or mass is redistributed into the volume of the ball from its center to the radius of the center of gravity, the moment of inertia is reduced, resulting in a high spin ball. If more ball weight or mass is redistributed into the volume from its center of gravity radius to the outer cover, the moment of inertia will increase, resulting in a low spin ball. The radius of the center of gravity can be calculated using the method described in "Golf Ball and Method of Controlling Spin Speed" filed on March 23, 2001.
and a Method for Controlling the Spin Rate of Sam
e) ", the application number Are described in detail in the co-pending patent application with The entire content of this patent application is the reference of the present invention.

Here, the balls 86, 100, 108, the mushroom and anchor heads, and the chamber 136 are
The hob 104, 116, 122, 128 and 138 and the chamber 112 are disposed between the cover of the ball and the radius of the center of gravity.
Is advantageously located between the center of the ball and the radius of the center of gravity. Further, while only six balls 86, 100, 108, six mushroom-type and anchor-type heads and four chambers 112 are shown in the figures, the preformed insert 10 can be any number of balls, Mushroom and anchor heads and chambers can be provided as long as they are symmetrically placed on the golf ball. While it is clear that the exemplary embodiments of the invention described herein satisfy the above objects, it is evident that many modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. One such modification is that the outer surface may be aligned with or extend beyond the free end of the inner surface. Therefore,
It is to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and embodiments that fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view of a golf ball of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the golf ball of the present invention, taken along line 2-2 of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing an inner core of the golf ball shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a plan view along arrow 4 of FIG. 3 showing the inner core of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the various embodiments shown in FIGS.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the various embodiments shown in FIGS.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the various embodiments shown in FIGS.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the various embodiments shown in FIGS.

FIG. 9 is a side view of another embodiment of the inner core according to the present invention.

FIG. 10a is a side view of an inner core according to another aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 10b is a side view of an inner core according to another aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 10c is a side view of an inner core according to another aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 10d is a side view of an inner core according to another aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 11a is a side view of an inner core according to yet another aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 11b is a side view of an inner core according to yet another aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 11c is a side view of an inner core according to yet another aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 11d is a side view of an inner core according to yet another aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 11e is a side view of an inner core according to yet another aspect of the present invention.

12a and 12b respectively show a side view according to another embodiment, a cross-sectional view according to a modification of the embodiment shown in FIG. 12a and another embodiment of the embodiment shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing regarding a change.

FIG. 12b is a side view of another embodiment of the inner core according to the present invention, a cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 12a, and another embodiment of the embodiment also shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing regarding a change.

FIG. 12c shows a side view according to another embodiment of the inner core according to the invention, a sectional view according to a modification of the embodiment shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing regarding a change.

[Explanation of symbols]

5. Golf ball; 10, 78 Internal core: 15, 2
0 ... external core; 25 ... cover; 27 ... dimple;
28 ··· Three-dimensional outer surface; 30 · · · Central part;
... Projection: 40 Gap: 45 Free end: 50
Open groove; 55 ... integrated side wall; 60 linear end; 6
5 .... end with curvature; 72 .... hollow cavity; 7
4. Envelope; 76 Fluid: 84, 90, 92,
98, 106, 114 ... insert; 86, 100,
108, a ball; 88, 102, 118, a rod; 1
04, 116, 122, 128, 138...
0: Leg with web; 112: Center; 133: Shell; 1
36 ... chamber

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Herbert Sea Beam Massachusetts, United States 02061 Norwell Judges Hill Drive 34

Claims (38)

[Claims] 1. Includes a preformed, selectively weighted inner core insert, an outer core formed on the inner core insert, and a cover provided around the outer core. A golf ball, characterized by: 2. The insert comprises a high specific gravity hob and a low specific gravity external element, wherein the high specific gravity hob has a specific gravity of greater than 1.2 and the low specific gravity external element has a specific gravity of less than 0.9. 2. The golf ball according to claim 1, comprising: 3. The golf ball of claim 2, wherein the high specific gravity hob has a specific gravity greater than 1.5. 4. The golf ball of claim 3, wherein the high specific gravity hob has a specific gravity greater than 1.8. 5. The golf ball of claim 2, wherein the low specific gravity external element has a specific gravity of less than 0.8. 6. The golf ball according to claim 2, wherein the external element includes a plurality of balls symmetrically disposed with respect to the cover. 7. The golf ball according to claim 2, wherein the external element includes a plurality of mushroom-shaped heads symmetrically disposed with respect to the cover. 8. The external element includes a plurality of anchored heads symmetrically disposed with respect to the cover.
The golf ball as described. 9. The outer element is provided by a corresponding rod,
3. The golf ball according to claim 2, wherein the golf ball is connected to the hob. 10. The golf ball according to claim 2, wherein said external element is hollow. 11. The golf ball according to claim 9, wherein said rod is hollow. 12. The golf ball according to claim 2, wherein the external elements are connected together by webbed legs. 13. The golf ball according to claim 9, wherein said external element is hollow. 14. The golf ball according to claim 12, wherein the leg with the web aligns and centers the hob. 15. The golf ball according to claim 2, wherein the external element includes a plurality of positioning rings provided on the hob. 16. The golf ball according to claim 2, wherein said external element includes a plurality of locating pins provided on said hob. 17. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the insert includes a high specific gravity external element, wherein the external element has a specific gravity greater than 1.2. 18. The golf ball according to claim 17, wherein the external element has a specific gravity of more than 1.5. 19. The golf ball according to claim 18, wherein the external element has a specific gravity greater than 1.8. 20. The golf ball according to claim 17, wherein the external element includes a plurality of balls symmetrically disposed with respect to the cover. 21. The external element includes a plurality of mushroom-shaped heads symmetrically disposed with respect to the cover.
The golf ball as described. 22. The golf ball of claim 17, wherein the outer element comprises a plurality of balls having an anchor-shaped head, symmetrically disposed with respect to the cover. 23. The golf ball according to claim 17, wherein the external element is connected to the hob by a corresponding rod. 24. The golf ball according to claim 17, wherein the external element is hollow. 25. The golf ball according to claim 1, wherein the insert defines a hollow cavity. 26. The golf ball according to claim 25, wherein the hollow cavity includes an envelope. 27. The cavity is filled with a fluid,
26. The golf ball according to claim 25. 28. The liquid according to claim 28, wherein the fluid is a high specific gravity liquid.
27. The golf ball according to 27. 29. The fluid of claim 26, wherein the fluid is a low density liquid.
28. The golf ball according to 28. 30. The golf ball according to claim 1, wherein the insert includes a plurality of radially extending projections, the specific gravity of the projections preferably exceeding 1.2. 31. The golf ball according to claim 30, wherein the specific gravity of the protrusion exceeds 1.5. 32. The golf ball according to claim 31, wherein the specific gravity of the protrusion exceeds 1.8. 33. The golf ball of claim 30, wherein the protrusion includes a plurality of pyramid-shaped elements, and wherein the pyramid-shaped elements are disposed proximate the cover. 34. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the insert is an open shell including at least one opening, and wherein the outer core material is molded over the shell and penetrates the interior of the shell. . 35. The golf ball of claim 34, wherein the open shell includes a plurality of high density chambers symmetrically disposed with respect to the cover, wherein the specific gravity of the chamber is greater than 1.2. 36. The golf ball of claim 34, wherein a high specific gravity hob is provided in the open shell, and the specific gravity of the hob is greater than 1.2. 37. A preformed inner core insert, an outer cover formed on the inner core insert, wherein the insert includes a plurality of pockets suitable for receiving a portion of the outer core. A golf ball, wherein at least a portion of the pocket receives a material having a specific gravity greater than 1.2, and a cover disposed about the outer core. 38. A preformed inner core insert, an outer cover formed on the inner core insert, wherein the insert includes a plurality of pockets adapted to receive a portion of the outer core. A golf ball, wherein at least a portion of the pocket receives a material having a specific gravity greater than 0.9, and a cover disposed about the outer core.