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  Golf ball and method of matching enhancing spin characteristicsUSPTO Application #: 20070270238Title: Golf ball and method of matching enhancing spin characteristics Abstract: A method for selecting the spin characteristics of a fluid filled golf ball and a golf ball incorporating these properties is disclosed herein. One aspect is a method for optimizing the spin and flight characteristics of a fluid containing golf ball which selects an internal fluid material having a viscosity that matches the cover hardness of the golf ball as to obtain the desired spin and flight characteristics of the golf ball. (end of abstract) Agent: Callaway Golf C0mpany - Carlsbad, CA, US Inventor: Thomas J. Kennedy USPTO Applicaton #: 20070270238 - Class: 473354 (USPTO) The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070270238. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001]The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/747,756, filed on May 19, 2006. STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT [0002]Not Applicable BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003]1. Field of the Invention [0004]The present invention relates to a golf ball. More specifically, the present invention relates to a golf ball having a fluid core and a soft cover, and a method of matching a viscosity of a fluid core with a hardness of a cover material to enhance the spin characteristics of the golf ball. [0005]2. Description of the Related Art [0006]Spin rate is an important golf ball characteristic for both the skilled and unskilled golfer. High spin rates allow for the more skilled golfer, such as PGA professionals and low handicap players, to maximize control of the golf ball. This is particularly beneficial to the more skilled golfer when hitting an approach shot to a green. The ability to intentionally produce "back spin", thereby stopping the ball quickly on the green, and/or "side spin" to draw or fade the ball, substantially improves the golfer's control over the ball. Thus, the more skilled golfer generally prefers a golf ball exhibiting high spin rate properties. [0007]The prior art has disclosed the use of fluids in cores for golf balls. [0008]Saunders, U.S. Pat. No. 1,080,592 discloses golf balls with cores consisting of rubber bags filled with water or some other liquid. [0009]Gammeter, U.S. Pat. No. 1,167,396, discloses a method for making a golf ball by injecting a fluid into a core. [0010]Schupphaus, U.S. Pat. No. 1,298,410, discloses a golf ball with a liquid or jelly like substance consisting of a solution of lead salt of an alky-sulfuric acid. [0011]Brown, U.S. Pat. No. 2,259,060 discloses a liquid core filler composed of glue, glycerine and water. [0012]Sullivan, U.S. Pat. No. 5,368,304 describes a low spin golf ball in which the spin rate is reduced by using the combination of a soft core and a hard outer cover. In addition, that patent suggests that spin rate can be further reduced by decreasing the weight of a softened polybutadiene core while maintaining core size and by increasing the thickness of the cover. The golf ball in the '304 patent may also be made larger than the standard 1.680 inch golf ball to provide a further reduced spin rate. While these designs are successful in reducing the spin rate of golf balls, many golfers object to a golf ball which has a very hard feel such as occurs when using a very hard cover on a golf ball. When struck with an iron club, such golf balls tend to induce vibrations into the club which are undesirable even to the unskilled golfer. [0013]Boehm, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,683,312, for a Fluid Or Liquid Filled Non-Wound Golf Ball discloses a golf ball with a fluid filled center having a specific gravity and viscosity to effect the performance properties of the golf ball such as spin rate, spin decay, compression and initial velocity. The '312 Patent defines 100 centapoise as the demarcation line for high viscosity and low viscosity fluids. [0014]Sullivan et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,193,618, discloses a golf ball with a liquid filled core to reduce the spin rate of the golf ball. [0015]Viscosity can be measured in different unit systems. The SI unit is N s/m.sup.2 which is known as the poiseuille (PI). An older unit, the poise (dyne s/cm.sup.2) remains in common use (where 10 poise=N s/m.sup.2 and 100 centipoise=1 poise) (1 Pa s or Pascal second is also used). The basic unit of absolute viscosity is the poise. The common unit for expressing absolute viscosity is the "centipoise" ( 1/100 of a poise). Water at 68.4.degree. F. (20.2.degree. C.) has an absolute viscosity of one centipoise. The faster the fluid/liquid flows, the lower the viscosity. If the fluid/liquid has a high viscosity it strongly resists flow, so the fluid/liquid flows slowly. If the fluid/liquid has a low viscosity, it offers less resistance to flow, so the fluid/liquid flows faster. [0016]The prior art has failed to disclose the matching of a core's fluid viscosity and a cover hardness to enhance the spin characteristics of a golf ball. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0017]The present inventors have addressed the need for developing a golf ball having an increased spin rate after impact with a golf club, while at the same time maintaining durability, playability and resiliency characteristics needed for repeated use. The increased spin rate golf ball of the present invention meets the rules and regulations established by the United States Golf Association (U.S.G.A.). [0018]One aspect of the present invention is a method of matching the fluid viscosity of a fluid core of a golf ball to a cover hardness of the golf ball to enhance the spin characteristics of the golf ball. [0019]Having briefly described the present invention, the above and further objects, features and advantages thereof will be recognized by those skilled in the pertinent art from the following detailed description of the invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS Continue reading... Full patent description for Golf ball and method of matching enhancing spin characteristics Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Golf ball and method of matching enhancing spin characteristics patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Golf ball and method of matching enhancing spin characteristics or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Golf clubs prepared with basalt fiber Next Patent Application: Rubber compositions comprising high levels of oily substance and the use thereof in golf balls Industry Class: Games using tangible projectile ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Golf ball and method of matching enhancing spin characteristics patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 5.30263 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Accenture , Agouron Pharmaceuticals , Amgen , AT&T , Bausch & Lomb , Callaway Golf |
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