CA2402852A1 - Golf ball center having outer layer of injection molded ionomer - Google Patents
Golf ball center having outer layer of injection molded ionomer Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2402852A1 CA2402852A1 CA002402852A CA2402852A CA2402852A1 CA 2402852 A1 CA2402852 A1 CA 2402852A1 CA 002402852 A CA002402852 A CA 002402852A CA 2402852 A CA2402852 A CA 2402852A CA 2402852 A1 CA2402852 A1 CA 2402852A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- game ball
- shell
- core
- ionomer
- ball
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B37/00—Solid balls; Rigid hollow balls; Marbles
- A63B37/12—Special coverings, i.e. outer layer material
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B2102/00—Application of clubs, bats, rackets or the like to the sporting activity ; particular sports involving the use of balls and clubs, bats, rackets, or the like
- A63B2102/18—Baseball, rounders or similar games
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B2102/00—Application of clubs, bats, rackets or the like to the sporting activity ; particular sports involving the use of balls and clubs, bats, rackets, or the like
- A63B2102/18—Baseball, rounders or similar games
- A63B2102/182—Softball
Landscapes
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
- Injection Moulding Of Plastics Or The Like (AREA)
- Manufacture Of Porous Articles, And Recovery And Treatment Of Waste Products (AREA)
- Pinball Game Machines (AREA)
- Moulds For Moulding Plastics Or The Like (AREA)
- Laminated Bodies (AREA)
Abstract
A game ball is presented, the game ball includes a core and a shell disposed about the core where the shell is composed of, e.g., a foamed ionomer. An outer cover is disposed about the shell and core and may include a synthetic leather or a natural leather. The core may be composed of material such as cork or polyurethane and the game ball may be either a softball or a basebal l. A method of manufacturing the game ball is also presented.
Description
GAME BALL CENTER HAVING OUTER LAYER OF
INJECTION MOLDED IONOMER
Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to game balls and, more particularly, to a ball having a resilient shell disposed about a relatively low density core.
Background of the Invention Game balls such as baseballs and softballs are well known.
Typically, they are formed from a core of cork which is covered by a winding of string or yarn wrapped about the core to provide strength and resilience. Thereafter, a cover composed of a synthetic or natural leather is disposed about the windings.
Prior art balls generally have a relatively short playing life. The cover and windings may quickly become split from normal play and/or the ball may become non-spherical such that playing characteristics are unacceptable. Additionally, the prior art balls will soak up water when exposed to wet, or even damp, conditions. When the ball becomes water soaked, the weight of the ball is greatly increased, and the resilience of the ball is decreased thereby reducing performance, e.g., feel off the bat and sound or "crack" of the bat.
One particular standard measure of a property of a ball is that of the ball's Coefficient of Restitution (COR). In determining the COR, a ball is propelled against a standard surface at eighty (80) miles per hour, and the speed of the rebound is determined. There are two standards set for balls, one for restrictive flight balls and one for unrestrictive flight balls and depending on league rules, e.g., given the age and abilities of the participants, one or the other is chosen. Restrictive flight balls must have a COR of no more than 0.44, unrestrictive flight balls have no more than 0.48 and a COR higher than either of these will result in an unofficial ball, not useable in official ball play.
Typically, prior art balls do not closely approach these standards on maximum permissible COR and the problem becomes exacerbated when the balls become water soaked.
Summary of the Invention It is an object of the invention to provide a ball having an increased durability with respect to the prior art.
It is another object to provide a ball with an improved coefficient of restitution especially under wet conditions.
It is also an object of the present invention is to provide a ball having and maintaining a desirable sound when the ball is struck by a bat.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a ball which is formed in a relatively inexpensive manner and utilizes a relatively low cost inner core.
These and other related aspects of the invention are achieved by providing a game ball comprising a core, a thermoplastic shell intimately encapsulating the core and preferably being composed of a foamed ionomer and an outer cover being disposed about the shell and core. The core may comprise either cork or polyurethane. The outer cover of the game ball may comprise a synthetic leather or a natural leather. The game ball may be either a softball or a baseball.
In another aspect of the present invention, the game ball comprises a shell which comprises a plurality of layers, at least one of which comprises an ionomer. Another of the layers may comprise an ionomer which may have a filling material. For example, the filling material may comprise either a metal stearate or glass. The filling material may also comprise microspheres which for example, may contain glass.
The present invention provides a ball which has greater durability and an enhanced performance and sound relative to that of the prior art.
Brief Description of the Drawings These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be explained in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is an elevational view of a game ball in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a cross sectional view taken along line I of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is an enlarged partial cross sectional view of another embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 4 is a partial cross sectional view of a further embodiment of the present invention.
Detailed Description of the Present Invention A game ball in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is illustrated generally at 10 in Figure 1. The game ball, for example a baseball or softball, comprises an outer covering 12 which may be composed of a supple, flexible material such as leather or well known leather substitute such as a synthetic leather. The cover 12 may be stitched together by laces 14 in the case of a leather cover. In the case of a synthetic cover, laces 14 may be formed or molded thereon for maintaining the look and feel of the game ball 10.
As illustrated in Figure 2, the game ball 10 comprises a core 16 and a shell 18 interposed between the core and the cover 12. The core 16 fills the shell 18 and assists in preventing collapsing of the shell when the ball is hit by a bat. The core 16 may be composed of a relatively low density material which is sufficiently resilient to withstand the flexing which occurs during contact with a bat. Suitable materials include cork, kapok, feathers or polyurethane, e.g., a polyurethane foam. The core 16 may also include multiple layers of one or more of the foregoing materials.
In accordance with a feature of the present invention, the shell 18 is provided for increasing the durability and performance of the game ball 10. The shell 18 is preferably formed of a thermoplastic material such as, for example, an ibnomer which is molded as a skin or the like over the core. An ionomer which may be used in the practice of the present invention is sold under the trademark SURLYN by the Du Pont Co., Wilmington, Delaware. The ionomer may, for example, contain an acrylate ester-containing ionic copolymer in a weight percentage of 90 -100. The thickness of the shell 18 may, for example, range on the order from about 0.0313 inches to about 0.500 inches.
In order to, e.g., reduce weight and/or decrease the stiffness of the shell 18, the ionomer may be foamed and, as illustrated, the shell 18 includes gas pockets 20 disposed throughout the shell. It will be appreciated that a suitable physical blowing agent or chemical blowing agent may be employed during formation of the foamed ionomer. It will be understood that the thickness of the shell 18 may be varied depending upon, for example, the desired COR, sound and/or weight characteristics.
The shell 18 may also be composed of a blend of different thermoplastic materials, e.g., an ionomer and another thermoplastic material.
During manufacture, the shell 18 is preferably formed through injection molding or otherwise and, more preferably, foam molded about the core 16 using suitable techniques in order to provide a sealed structure.
INJECTION MOLDED IONOMER
Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to game balls and, more particularly, to a ball having a resilient shell disposed about a relatively low density core.
Background of the Invention Game balls such as baseballs and softballs are well known.
Typically, they are formed from a core of cork which is covered by a winding of string or yarn wrapped about the core to provide strength and resilience. Thereafter, a cover composed of a synthetic or natural leather is disposed about the windings.
Prior art balls generally have a relatively short playing life. The cover and windings may quickly become split from normal play and/or the ball may become non-spherical such that playing characteristics are unacceptable. Additionally, the prior art balls will soak up water when exposed to wet, or even damp, conditions. When the ball becomes water soaked, the weight of the ball is greatly increased, and the resilience of the ball is decreased thereby reducing performance, e.g., feel off the bat and sound or "crack" of the bat.
One particular standard measure of a property of a ball is that of the ball's Coefficient of Restitution (COR). In determining the COR, a ball is propelled against a standard surface at eighty (80) miles per hour, and the speed of the rebound is determined. There are two standards set for balls, one for restrictive flight balls and one for unrestrictive flight balls and depending on league rules, e.g., given the age and abilities of the participants, one or the other is chosen. Restrictive flight balls must have a COR of no more than 0.44, unrestrictive flight balls have no more than 0.48 and a COR higher than either of these will result in an unofficial ball, not useable in official ball play.
Typically, prior art balls do not closely approach these standards on maximum permissible COR and the problem becomes exacerbated when the balls become water soaked.
Summary of the Invention It is an object of the invention to provide a ball having an increased durability with respect to the prior art.
It is another object to provide a ball with an improved coefficient of restitution especially under wet conditions.
It is also an object of the present invention is to provide a ball having and maintaining a desirable sound when the ball is struck by a bat.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a ball which is formed in a relatively inexpensive manner and utilizes a relatively low cost inner core.
These and other related aspects of the invention are achieved by providing a game ball comprising a core, a thermoplastic shell intimately encapsulating the core and preferably being composed of a foamed ionomer and an outer cover being disposed about the shell and core. The core may comprise either cork or polyurethane. The outer cover of the game ball may comprise a synthetic leather or a natural leather. The game ball may be either a softball or a baseball.
In another aspect of the present invention, the game ball comprises a shell which comprises a plurality of layers, at least one of which comprises an ionomer. Another of the layers may comprise an ionomer which may have a filling material. For example, the filling material may comprise either a metal stearate or glass. The filling material may also comprise microspheres which for example, may contain glass.
The present invention provides a ball which has greater durability and an enhanced performance and sound relative to that of the prior art.
Brief Description of the Drawings These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be explained in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is an elevational view of a game ball in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a cross sectional view taken along line I of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is an enlarged partial cross sectional view of another embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 4 is a partial cross sectional view of a further embodiment of the present invention.
Detailed Description of the Present Invention A game ball in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is illustrated generally at 10 in Figure 1. The game ball, for example a baseball or softball, comprises an outer covering 12 which may be composed of a supple, flexible material such as leather or well known leather substitute such as a synthetic leather. The cover 12 may be stitched together by laces 14 in the case of a leather cover. In the case of a synthetic cover, laces 14 may be formed or molded thereon for maintaining the look and feel of the game ball 10.
As illustrated in Figure 2, the game ball 10 comprises a core 16 and a shell 18 interposed between the core and the cover 12. The core 16 fills the shell 18 and assists in preventing collapsing of the shell when the ball is hit by a bat. The core 16 may be composed of a relatively low density material which is sufficiently resilient to withstand the flexing which occurs during contact with a bat. Suitable materials include cork, kapok, feathers or polyurethane, e.g., a polyurethane foam. The core 16 may also include multiple layers of one or more of the foregoing materials.
In accordance with a feature of the present invention, the shell 18 is provided for increasing the durability and performance of the game ball 10. The shell 18 is preferably formed of a thermoplastic material such as, for example, an ibnomer which is molded as a skin or the like over the core. An ionomer which may be used in the practice of the present invention is sold under the trademark SURLYN by the Du Pont Co., Wilmington, Delaware. The ionomer may, for example, contain an acrylate ester-containing ionic copolymer in a weight percentage of 90 -100. The thickness of the shell 18 may, for example, range on the order from about 0.0313 inches to about 0.500 inches.
In order to, e.g., reduce weight and/or decrease the stiffness of the shell 18, the ionomer may be foamed and, as illustrated, the shell 18 includes gas pockets 20 disposed throughout the shell. It will be appreciated that a suitable physical blowing agent or chemical blowing agent may be employed during formation of the foamed ionomer. It will be understood that the thickness of the shell 18 may be varied depending upon, for example, the desired COR, sound and/or weight characteristics.
The shell 18 may also be composed of a blend of different thermoplastic materials, e.g., an ionomer and another thermoplastic material.
During manufacture, the shell 18 is preferably formed through injection molding or otherwise and, more preferably, foam molded about the core 16 using suitable techniques in order to provide a sealed structure.
Thereafter, the outer cover 12 may be mounted or molded over the shell 18.
Figure 3 illustrates another embodiment of a game ball in accordance with the present invention, and a partial cross sectional view of the game ball is generally illustrated at 10'. This embodiment of the present invention varies from that of Figure 2, for example, in that the shell 18' comprises a material composed of an ionomer and another material which functions as a filler. It will be understood that the ionomer may also be blended with another thermoplastic material as discussed above in addition to employing a filler material. The ionomer may be filled with a material such as a metal stearate, e.g. zinc stearate, which functions to improve the moldability and processing of the ionomer and/or, in another example, micro-spheres containing, e.g., glass or any other suitable low cost fillers.
Still another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated generally at 10" in Figure 4. The game ball 10" is generally similar to those illustrated with respect to Figures 2 and 3, excepting that a shell 18"
is provided which comprises multiple layers. In particular, two layers 18a"
and 18b" are illustrated, although, it will be understood that additional layers may be employed. Layer 18a" may be composed of an ionomer or an ionomer blended with another thermoplastic material and layer 18b"
may be composed of a filled ionomer with the filler being any of those discussed above. It will be appreciated that the skilled artisan may vary the particular properties and combinations of materials thereof in order to better arrive at a game ball which is most suitable in weight, COR and/or sound characteristics.
Figure 3 illustrates another embodiment of a game ball in accordance with the present invention, and a partial cross sectional view of the game ball is generally illustrated at 10'. This embodiment of the present invention varies from that of Figure 2, for example, in that the shell 18' comprises a material composed of an ionomer and another material which functions as a filler. It will be understood that the ionomer may also be blended with another thermoplastic material as discussed above in addition to employing a filler material. The ionomer may be filled with a material such as a metal stearate, e.g. zinc stearate, which functions to improve the moldability and processing of the ionomer and/or, in another example, micro-spheres containing, e.g., glass or any other suitable low cost fillers.
Still another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated generally at 10" in Figure 4. The game ball 10" is generally similar to those illustrated with respect to Figures 2 and 3, excepting that a shell 18"
is provided which comprises multiple layers. In particular, two layers 18a"
and 18b" are illustrated, although, it will be understood that additional layers may be employed. Layer 18a" may be composed of an ionomer or an ionomer blended with another thermoplastic material and layer 18b"
may be composed of a filled ionomer with the filler being any of those discussed above. It will be appreciated that the skilled artisan may vary the particular properties and combinations of materials thereof in order to better arrive at a game ball which is most suitable in weight, COR and/or sound characteristics.
While the present invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Rather, it is intended to cover all of the various modifications and the equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
Claims (19)
1. A game ball comprising:
a core;
a shell disposed about the core, said shell comprising a material composed of a foamed ionomer; and an outer cover disposed about the shell and core.
a core;
a shell disposed about the core, said shell comprising a material composed of a foamed ionomer; and an outer cover disposed about the shell and core.
2. The game ball of claim 1 wherein said material also comprises a thermoplastic material blended with said ionomer.
3. The game ball of claim 1 wherein the core comprises at least one of cork or polyurethane.
4. A game ball comprising:
a core;
a shell disposed about the core, said shell comprising a plurality of layers at least one of which comprises an ionomer; and an outer cover disposed about the shell and core.
a core;
a shell disposed about the core, said shell comprising a plurality of layers at least one of which comprises an ionomer; and an outer cover disposed about the shell and core.
5. The game ball of claim 4 wherein said layer comprising an ionomer also comprises a thermoplastic material blended with said ionomer.
6. The game ball of claim 4 wherein the core comprises a material composed of at least one of kapok, cork or polyurethane.
7. The game ball of claim 4 wherein another of said layers comprises an ionomer having a filling material.
8. The game ball of claim 7 wherein said filling material comprises at least one of a metal stearate or glass.
9. The game ball of claim 7 wherein the filling material comprises microspheres.
10. The game ball of claim 9 wherein the microspheres contain glass.
11. The game ball of claim 4 wherein the game ball is a softball or a baseball.
12. A game ball comprising;
a core;
a shell disposed about the core, said shell comprising an ionomer having a filling material; and an outer cover disposed about the shell and core.
a core;
a shell disposed about the core, said shell comprising an ionomer having a filling material; and an outer cover disposed about the shell and core.
13. The game ball of claim 12 wherein said shell comprises a thermoplastic material blended with said ionomer.
14. The game ball of claim 12 wherein the filling material comprises at least one of a metal stearate or glass.
15. The game ball of claim 12 wherein the filling material comprises microspheres.
16. The game ball of claim 15 wherein the microspheres contain glass.
17. A method of manufacturing a game ball comprising the steps of:
providing a core;
molding a shell intimately about said core, said shell comprising a foamed ionomer blended with another thermoplastic material; and covering said shell.
providing a core;
molding a shell intimately about said core, said shell comprising a foamed ionomer blended with another thermoplastic material; and covering said shell.
18. The method of claim 17 wherein said step of molding the shell is accomplished by injection molding.
19. The method of claim 17 wherein said step of molding a shell includes molding said shell in multiple layers about said core.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US51005500A | 2000-02-22 | 2000-02-22 | |
| US09/510,055 | 2000-02-22 | ||
| PCT/US2001/004922 WO2001062348A2 (en) | 2000-02-22 | 2001-02-15 | Game ball center having outer layer of injection molded ionomer |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2402852A1 true CA2402852A1 (en) | 2001-08-30 |
Family
ID=24029194
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002402852A Abandoned CA2402852A1 (en) | 2000-02-22 | 2001-02-15 | Golf ball center having outer layer of injection molded ionomer |
Country Status (4)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| AU (1) | AU2001237031A1 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2402852A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2379171A (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2001062348A2 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US11103754B1 (en) | 2019-05-01 | 2021-08-31 | Sweetspot Baseball, Llc | Baseball like training ball |
Families Citing this family (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2479241A (en) * | 2011-03-21 | 2011-10-05 | Jitendra Shah | Cricket ball |
| CN102527001A (en) * | 2012-02-13 | 2012-07-04 | 台慧(厦门)运动器材有限公司 | Method for forming softball bat, softball and softball shirt |
| US20180333613A1 (en) * | 2017-05-16 | 2018-11-22 | Michael Butcher | Youth baseball |
Family Cites Families (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4653752A (en) * | 1982-11-15 | 1987-03-31 | Lacymil Corporation | Game ball |
| US4529200A (en) * | 1982-12-27 | 1985-07-16 | Miller Richard E | Game ball |
| US5123659A (en) * | 1991-03-01 | 1992-06-23 | Wilson Sporting Goods Co. | Game ball |
-
2001
- 2001-02-15 CA CA002402852A patent/CA2402852A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2001-02-15 AU AU2001237031A patent/AU2001237031A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2001-02-15 WO PCT/US2001/004922 patent/WO2001062348A2/en active Application Filing
- 2001-02-15 GB GB0222660A patent/GB2379171A/en not_active Withdrawn
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US11103754B1 (en) | 2019-05-01 | 2021-08-31 | Sweetspot Baseball, Llc | Baseball like training ball |
| US11857846B2 (en) | 2019-05-01 | 2024-01-02 | Sweetspot Baseball, Llc | Baseball like training ball |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB2379171A (en) | 2003-03-05 |
| GB0222660D0 (en) | 2002-11-06 |
| WO2001062348A3 (en) | 2002-04-04 |
| AU2001237031A1 (en) | 2001-09-03 |
| WO2001062348A2 (en) | 2001-08-30 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Discontinued |