| Low-resilience limited flight golf ball -> Monitor Keywords |
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Low-resilience limited flight golf ballRelated Patent Categories: Games Using Tangible Projectile, Golf, Ball, Particular Cover (e.g., Size, Material, Dimple Pattern, Etc.)Low-resilience limited flight golf ball description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070225087, Low-resilience limited flight golf ball. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates generally to a limited flight golf ball, wherein the limited flight is obtained through a reduction in resilience properties of the core. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Golf balls for use on practice ranges, referred to as "range balls," have been sold for a number of years. Generally, golf balls sold as range balls are similar in performance to standard golf balls, although range balls are generally designed for increased impact durability and wear durability. However, the distance performance of conventional range balls is similar to that of a standard golf ball. [0003] Practice ranges that have limited space require a "limited flight" range ball. Range balls suitable for use as "limited flight" range balls have been sold for a number of years. Examples of "limited flight" range balls are the Wilson.RTM. CF Range, manufactured by Wilson Sporting Goods, and the Spalding.RTM. Limited Flight Range ball, manufactured by the Callaway Golf Company. These balls are similar in construction to conventional range balls. The flight distance is restricted (reduced) through the use of an inefficient dimple pattern, which results in shorter distance than conventional range balls. However, these less efficient dimple patterns produce shorter flight distance through undesirable and objectionable flight trajectory. Specifically, the short distance is obtained through a pattern with shallow dimples, resulting in a very high trajectory, described as "ballooning." This trajectory is objectionable to the golfer, and is not beneficial to the golfer "practicing" his swing. [0004] There are also one-piece range golf balls available, such as the Srixon.RTM. range ball, available from SRI Sports Limited Corporation. These balls generally are short in flight distance, but have playability properties (such as feel) that are significantly different than a conventional golf ball. These golf balls are also not ideal for practice purposes. [0005] Thus, there is a continuing need for a limited flight range golf ball that achieves a shorter flight distance than a standard golf ball without the undesirable trajectory, or "ballooning," or playability properties that differ significantly from conventional golf balls, as observed on currently produced limited flight balls. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0006] The invention provides a limited distance golf ball including a core and at least one cover layer. The core has a coefficient of restitution ("C.O.R.") of less than 0.710 at a test velocity of 125 ft/s, or less than 0.660 at a test velocity of 125 ft/s, or less than 0.660 at a test velocity of 175 ft/s. The relatively low resilience properties of the core produce a limited flight distance without significantly affecting the flight trajectory performance of the golf ball. [0007] According to a principal aspect of the invention, the core of the multi-piece limited distance golf ball includes a blend of high-cis polybutadiene and either acrylonitrile-1,3-butadiene or isobutylene-isoprene copolymer or a combination thereof. The high-cis polybutadiene suitably has a cis-1,4 content of greater than 94%. [0008] In one embodiment of the invention, the core of the multi-piece limited distance golf ball includes 20-80 parts (by weight) per hundred parts (by weight) of rubber ("phr") of the high-cis polybutadiene; 80-20 phr by weight of acrylonitrile-1,3-butadiene; 20-40 phr of a co-crosslinking agent; 0-10 phr of an activator; 10-30 phr of an inert filler; and 0.5-3 phr of a free-radical initiator. The acrylonitrile-1,3-butadiene suitably has an acrylonitrile content greater than 25%, such as 30-40%, or 30-36%. [0009] In another embodiment of the invention, the core of the multi-piece limited distance golf ball includes 20-80 phr of the high-cis polybutadiene; 80-20 phr by weight of isobutylene-isoprene copolymer; 2040 phr of a co-crosslinking agent; 0-10 phr of an activator; 10-30 phr of an inert filler; and 0.5-3 phr of a free-radical initiator. The isobutylene-isoprene copolymer suitably has a chlorine content of 1-2%. [0010] The free radical initiator may be a peroxide, such as dicumyl peroxide, tert-butyl peroxybenzoate, butyl 4,4'-di-(tert-butylperoxy) valerate, or 1,1-di-(tert-butylperoxy)-3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexane. [0011] The cover layer or layers may include such materials as ionomers, polyurethanes, polyesters, polyolefins, ethylene-methacrylic acid copolymers, ethylene-acrylic acid copolymers, or any combination of these materials. The limited distance golf ball suitably has a conventional dimple pattern, which allows for flight trajectory properties similar to a conventional golf ball. [0012] In certain embodiments, the limited distance golf ball has a deflection of between 0.065 and 0.130 inch under a 200 pound (lb.) static load. [0013] This invention will become more fully understood from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings described herein below, and wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0014] FIG. 1 is a front view of a golf ball in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention. [0015] FIG. 2 is cross-section view of the golf ball of FIG. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0016] The invention relates to an improved limited flight golf ball, in particular, a limited flight golf ball composed of multiple pieces and having low resilience properties compared to conventional golf balls. Referring to FIGS. 1-2, a preferred embodiment of a multi-layered limited flight golf ball is indicated generally at 10. The ball 10 includes a core 12 and a cover layer 14. [0017] The limited flight golf ball 10 has a conventional dimple pattern, which allows for flight trajectory properties similar to a conventional golf ball. The limited flight is achieved through reduced C.O.R. (coefficient of restitution) properties in the core 12. The limited C.O.R. properties in the core 12 results in a golf ball 10 having a significantly lower initial velocity when struck with a golf club, which in turn results in shorter distance properties. The use of a lower resilience (C.O.R.) core 12 as described herein further results in greater impact durability than a golf ball made using a conventional golf ball core. [0018] The core 12 is a substantially spherical, generally solid member positioned at the geometric center of the ball 10. The core 12 is formed of a blend of high-cis polybutadiene rubber and either acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR) or isobutylene-isoprene copolymer or a combination thereof to produce the desired C.O.R. properties, namely a C.O.R. of less than 0.710 at a test velocity of 125 ft/s, or less than 0.660 at a test velocity of 125 ft/s, or less than 0.660 at a test velocity of 175 ft/s. More particularly, the core 12 is formulated using a blend of the rubber, a co-crosslinking agent, a free radical initiator, and fillers as necessary to provide acceptable density. Acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber is less expensive than isobutylene-isoprene copolymer. Thus, from a cost-saving standpoint, it may be preferable to use acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber or a combination of acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber and isobutylene-isoprene copolymer rather than isobutylene-isoprene copolymer alone. [0019] The high-cis polybutadiene, more particularly cis-1,4-polybutadiene, suitably has a cis-1,4 content of greater than 94%. Polybutadiene rubber suitable for use in the core 12 can be synthesized using nickel, cobalt, or neodymium catalysts. Examples of suitable polybutadiene materials made using neodymium catalyzed materials include Enichem.RTM. BR-40 (produced by Polimieri Europa) and Neodene.RTM. BR40 (produced by Karbochem). Examples of polybutadiene materials made using nickel catalyzed materials include Budene.RTM. 1207 (produced by the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company) and Kuhmo.TM. KBR-01 (produced by Kuhmo Tire and Rubber). In one embodiment, the core composition includes 20-80 phr (parts per hundred parts rubber) of the high-cis polybutadiene. In another embodiment, the core composition includes 40-60 phr of the high-cis polybutadiene. Continue reading about Low-resilience limited flight golf ball... Full patent description for Low-resilience limited flight golf ball Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Low-resilience limited flight golf ball 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. 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