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Lightweight performance golf ballsRelated Patent Categories: Games Using Tangible Projectile, Golf, Ball, Particular Unitary Or Layered ConstructionLightweight performance golf balls description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060194648, Lightweight performance golf balls. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/847,231, filed May 17, 2004, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD OF INVENTION [0002] The present invention generally relates to a lightweight golf ball including a large core for low swing speed golfers. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] The flight of a golf ball is determined by many factors, but only three factors are typically controlled by the golfer. By impacting the ball with a golf club, the golfer controls the speed, the launch angle and the spin rate of the golf ball. The launch angle sets the initial trajectory of the golf ball's flight. The speed and spin of the ball give the ball lift which will define the ball's overall flight path along with the weight and drag of the golf ball. Where the ball stops after being struck by a golf club also depends greatly on the weather and the landing surface the ball contacts. [0004] Many golfers have what is termed a "low swing speed." This means that the club head speed at impact is relatively slow when compared to a professional golfer's. Typically, when driving a golf ball the average professional golf ball speed is approximately 234 ft/s (160 mph). A person having a low swing speed typically drives the ball at a speed less than 220 ft/s (150 mph). A person with a low swing speed has a low ball speed. Consequently, his or her ball does not fly very far because of the lack of speed and lift. A significant percentage of all golfers today use such low swing speeds and consequently produce drives of less than 210 yards. [0005] Typically, lightweight golf balls are designed for low swing speed golfers. These lightweight golf balls usually are two-piece solid balls made with a single-solid core, encased by a bard cover material. The resiliency of the core can be increased so that the compression is high, which in addition to making the balls stiffer, increases the initial velocity and decrease the ball's spin rate. This maximizes the distance achieved by low swing speed players. However, these balls tend to have a hard feel and are difficult to control around the greens. [0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,807,192 to Yamagishi et al. discloses a solid golf ball with a lightweight of 40 g to 45 g (1.41 ounces to 1.59 ounces). This golf ball includes a solid core and cover. The core has a diameter of 38 mm to 40 mm (1.49 inches to 1.57 inches). This ball will offer less spin due to the smaller core diameter resulting in a less performance oriented ball. [0007] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2002/0045500 A1 to Fushihara discloses a light weight two-piece golf ball with a weight of 35.0 g to 41.0 g (1.23 ounces to 1.44 ounces), and preferably 38.0 g to 40.5 g (1.34 ounces to 1.42 ounces). The Fushihara publication states that when the weight of the golf ball is greater than 41.0 g, the shot feel is heavy and poor. The core has a diameter of 36.5 mm to 42.5 mm (1.44 inches to 1.67 inches), preferably 36.7 mm to 40.8 mm (1.44 inches to 1.60 inches). Since this ball is so light (e.g., less than 41.0 g), it will exhibit faster velocity. This ball, however, will be easily affected by the wind. [0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,863,264 to Yamagishi et al. discloses a two-piece solid golf ball with a lightweight of 41 g to 44.5 g (1.45 ounces to 1.57 ounces). The golf ball includes a solid core and cover. The core has a diameter of 37 mm to 41 mm (1.45 inches to 1.61 inches), especially 38 mm to 40 mm (1.50 inches to 1.57 inches). The Yamagishi et al. patent further discloses a thermoplastic resin cover on the core. [0009] A need exists for a high performance golf ball designed for low swing speed players that strikes a better balance between spin rate and distance to provide a distance ball with more control around the greens. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0010] The present invention is directed to a golf ball comprising a core having a diameter greater than 1.61 inches and a cover layer surrounding the core. In addition, the golf ball has a weight between about 1.45 ounces and about 1.57 ounces. In this embodiment, the cover layer material is not limited to thermoplastic or thermoset and either may be used. [0011] In one preferred embodiment, the golf ball further includes a core with a Mooney viscosity of greater than about 35. More preferably, the core has a Mooney viscosity of greater than about 40. Most preferably, the core has a Mooney viscosity of 45 or greater. [0012] According to one aspect of the present invention, the core preferably has a Shore C hardness of between about 50 and about 80. According to another aspect of the present invention, the core preferably has a compression of between about 30 and about 90. [0013] In another preferred embodiment, the golf ball cover layer has a thickness less than or equal to about 0.060 inches. More preferably, the cover layer has a thickness less than or equal to about 0.045 inches. [0014] In one preferred embodiment, the cover layer is formed of a thermoplastic material. In such an embodiment, the thermoplastic material is selected from the group including: partially or fully neutralized ionomers, thermoplastic polyurethane, metallocene, thermoplastic urethane, fusabond, or other single site catalyzed polymer, or blends thereof. [0015] In another preferred embodiment, the cover layer is formed of a thermoset material. In such an embodiment, the thermoset material is selected from the group including: aromatic urethane, light stable urethane, light stable polyurea, polyurethane-ionomer or blends thereof. [0016] Preferably, the cover layer has a flexural modulus of between about 500 and about 80,000 psi. Additionally, the cover layer preferably has a Shore D material hardness of between about 30 and about 75. Furthermore, the cover layer preferably has dimples formed in the outer surface, and the number of dimples is between about 200 and about 450. [0017] According to one aspect of the present invention, the golf ball preferably has a compression of between about 50 and about 120. According to another aspect of the present invention, the golf ball preferably has a coefficient of restitution of greater than about 0.790 at a club speed of about 125 ft/sec. [0018] In yet another preferred embodiment, the golf ball with a thermoset cover layer may further include an intermediate layer disposed between the core and the cover layer. The intermediate layer preferably is a moisture barrier layer. [0019] The present invention is also directed to a golf ball comprising a core having a diameter greater than 1.58 inches and a cover layer surrounding the core. In addition, the golf ball has a weight between about 1.45 ounces and about 1.57 ounces. In this embodiment, the cover layer material is limited to thermoset material. [0020] Preferably, this embodiment further includes an intermediate layer disposed between the core and the cover layer, where the intermediate layer is a moisture barrier layer. In such an embodiment, the moisture barrier layer may be formed of an ionomer. Continue reading about Lightweight performance golf balls... Full patent description for Lightweight performance golf balls Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Lightweight performance golf balls 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 Lightweight performance golf balls or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Golf ball Next Patent Application: Hopscotch-like game Industry Class: Games using tangible projectile ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Lightweight performance golf balls patent info. 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