text:
|Publication number
|Publication type
|Application number
|Publication date
|Jan 25, 2005
|Filing date
|Sep 18, 2003
|Priority date
|Dec 13, 2001
|Fee status
|Also published as
|Publication number
|Matthew K. Lacroix, Mark L. Binette, R. Dennis Nesbitt
|Original Assignee
|Callaway Golf Company
|Export Citation
|BiBTeX, EndNote, RefMan
|Patent Citations (56), Referenced by (7), Classifications (16), Legal Events (3)
|External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, Espacenet
The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/015,526, filed Dec. 13, 2001.
The present invention relates to golf balls which exhibit the ability to correct their flight path during flight. More particularly, the present invention relates to golf balls of improved construction having a controlled weight distribution about a designated spin axis. The weight distribution imparts stable spin characteristics to the golf ball and corrects side spin caused when the ball is not squarely hit. The present invention is also directed to a method for producing a golf ball having a controlled weight distribution about a designated spin axis.
Generally, there are at least three different types of golf balls that are currently commercially available. These are one-piece balls, multi-piece solid balls having two or more solid pieces or components, and wound balls.
The one-piece ball typically is formed from a solid mass of moldable material which has been cured to develop the necessary degree of hardness. The one-piece ball possesses no significant difference in composition between the interior and exterior of the ball. These balls do not have an enclosing cover. They are utilized frequently as range balls or practice balls. One piece balls are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,313,545; 3,373,123; and 3,384,612.
Conventional multi-piece solid golf balls, on the other hand, include a solid resilient center or core comprising a single or multiple layer of similar or different types of materials. The core is enclosed with a single or multi-layer covering of protective material.
The one-piece golf ball and the solid core for a multi-piece solid (non-wound) ball frequently are formed from a combination of materials such as polybutadiene and other rubbers cross-linked with zinc diacrylate (ZDA) or zinc dimethacrylate (ZDMA), and optionally containing fillers and curing agents. The cores are molded under high pressure and temperature to provide a ball of suitable hardness and resilience. For multi-piece non-wound golf balls, the cover typically contains a substantial quantity of thermoplastic or thermoset materials that impart toughness and cut resistance to the covers while also providing good playability and distance characteristics. Examples of suitable cover materials include ionomer resins, polyurethanes, polyisoprenes, and nylons, among others.
The wound ball is frequently referred to as a "three-piece" ball since it is produced by winding vulcanized rubber thread under tension around a solid or semi-solid center to form a wound core. The wound core is thereafter enclosed in a single or multi-layer covering of tough protective material. For many years the wound ball satisfied the standards of the U.S.G.A. and was desired by many skilled, low handicap golfers.
The three piece wound ball typically has a cover comprising balata, ionomer or polyurethane like materials, which is relatively soft and flexible. Upon impact, it compresses against the surface of the club producing high spin. Consequently, the soft and flexible covers along with wound cores provide an experienced golfer with the ability to apply a spin to control the ball in flight in order to produce a draw or a fade, or a backspin which causes the ball to "bite" or stop abruptly on contact with the green. Moreover, the cover produces a soft "feel" to the low handicap player. Such playability properties of workability, feel, etc., are particularly important in short iron play and at low swing speeds and are exploited significantly by highly skilled players.
However, a three-piece wound ball has several disadvantages. For example, a soft wound (three-piece) ball is not well suited for use by the less skilled and/or medium to high handicap golfer who cannot intentionally control the spin of the ball. In this regard, the unintentional application of side spin by a less skilled golfer produces hooking or slicing. The side spin reduces the golfer's control over the ball as well as reduces travel distance. Consequently, the impact of an unintentional side spin often produces the addition of unwanted strokes to the golfer's game.
The above described golf balls have been developed and designed by various golf ball manufacturers to be generally uniform in consistency. In essence, the different layers are designed to be relatively uniform in composition and the covers or centers are essentially centered in the middle of the ball. The center of gravity ("COG") of these commercial balls is very desirably at the center point of the ball.
Unlike the conventional balls briefly described above, the balls of the present invention are not uniform in consistency. The balls of this invention have been specifically designed to produce a controlled weight distribution about a designated spin axis. It has been found that this selectively controlled weight distribution imparts a spin stabilization effect about the ball's spin axis. Such a selected weight distribution also corrects the undesired side spin that is produced when the ball is incorrectly struck or mishit with a golf club.
In this regard, when a ball is properly struck, the ball will rise in flight towards the intended direction of travel. This is due to the transformation of forces from the club to the ball and the lift produced by the ball which is back spinning in the air. After being properly struck, the ball will spin about an axis horizontal to the ground ("horizontal axis") such that the bottom of the ball moves in the direction of flight and the top moves opposite to the direction of travel. This results in the ball back spinning in the air in the direction of travel about an axis of rotation or spin axis. As the ball spins (i.e. backspins) in flight, the ball lifts into the air. The addition of dimples or surface depressions in the ball surface further increases the lifting forces by creating localized areas of turbulence.
However, when a ball is improperly struck (i.e. the club face is not traveling in the same direction that it is desired for the ball to take), a side spin is also imparted on the ball. When this occurs, the ball is forced to one side or another of a desired flight path resulting in a curved flight known as "hook" or "slice." Such a curved flight pattern is generally undesirable by the average golfer.
Accordingly, the present invention is directed to improved golf ball components and golf balls employing the same, which have a weight distribution that produces a preferred spin axis. The preferred spin axis is perpendicular to a gyroscopic center plane and corrects side spin imparted by striking the ball with an open or closed club face. These and other objects and features of the invention will be apparent from the following summary of the invention, description of the preferred embodiments, the drawings and from the claims.
One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a self-correcting golf ball which reduces the hooks and slices produced when the ball is mis-hit. The golf ball has the ability to correct its flight path by re-orienting itself along a central axis during flight.
More particularly, the present invention is directed to a golf ball comprising at least one high-density region centered about the spin or rotational axis of the ball. The region is positioned in the ball along the ball's gyroscopic center plane. The center plane is perpendicular to the desired or designated spin or rotational axis of the ball.
In this regard, it is rare during play that a golf ball exhibits pure backspin (rotation about a horizontal axis in flight) or pure sidespin (rotation about a vertical axis in flight). Instead, the actual spin of a ball during flight is a combination of these spin characteristics. Consequently, during flight, a golf ball will typically spin about a tilted axis that is oriented at some angle.
In the present invention, the ball produces a stabilized spin in flight, even if mishit. By utilizing a controlled weight distribution, the ball will reorient its spin pattern in flight.
As described in greater detail herein, the present invention preferably features a multi-layer golf ball construction comprising at least a core, mantle, and cover layer. A core is utilized which features a body having a recess or recessed channel extending about its outer periphery along a common plane. During formation of the golf ball, the channel is filled with composite mantle material having a specific gravity which is preferably greater than that of the core. In certain even more preferred embodiments, the channel has particular dimensions. The channel can vary in depth and width to maximize the self-correcting function and durability features of the ball. The mantle is further encapsulated by an outer cover layer.
Additionally, the ball of the invention can be optionally designed to exhibit enhanced distance. Specifically, the C.O.R. of the ball can be increased by the removal of excess weighting material compounded into the core and repositioning the removed weight by alternative materials at a distance radially outward from the core.
In a further aspect, the present invention provides a golf ball exhibiting controlled spin characteristics. The golf ball comprises a generally spherical core component in which the core defines a recess or recessed channel extending about the outer circumference of the core along a common plane. The recessed channel defined in the core component has a depth of from about 0.050 inches to about 0.300 inches, preferably of from about 0.040 inches to about 0.250 inches, most preferably from about 0.030 inches to about 0.200 inches.
The golf ball also comprises a mantle layer disposed on and uniformly encapsulating the core. The mantle layer extends into the channel and has a greater specific gravity than that of the core. This forms, in part, a weighted, longitudinal band extending about the core. The golf ball further comprises a cover disposed on and about the mantle layer. The cover has an outer surface and defines a plurality of dimples along the outer surface.
In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a self-correcting golf ball exhibiting improved spin characteristics. The golf ball comprises a generally spherical core component in which the core defines a recess or recessed channel extending about its outer periphery along a common plane. The channel is aligned with, and forms, the ball's gyroscopic center plane and is centered about the ball's spin axis. The recessed channel defined in the core component has a width of from about 0.100 inches to about 0.500 inches, more preferably from about 0.100 inches to about 0.250 inches and most preferably from about 0.100 inches to about 0.200 inches.
The golf ball further comprises a mantle layer disposed on and encapsulating the core. The mantle layer extends into and fills the recessed channel and has a specific gravity that is greater than that of the core. In such an embodiment, lighter cores are utilized and heavy weight filler materials are included in the mantle compositions. The golf ball further comprises a cover disposed on the mantle layer to form a solid, non-wound golf ball. The cover has an outer surface and defines a plurality of dimples along the outer surface.
The weighted channel formed within the core of the golf ball of this embodiment assists in the orientation of the core during ball flight. As the ball finds the central axis, it will correct its flight path.
In a still further aspect, the present invention provides a golf ball exhibiting improved spin characteristics. The golf ball comprises a generally spherical core component. The core defines a recessed channel extending about an outer periphery and along the circumference of the core along a common plane. The recessed channel can be formed by removing (such as by cutting, ablation, and so forth) material from a molded spherical core or by being shaped or formed during the molding process using an appropriately shaped mold. For example, the core can be molded in a cavity that has been formed to make the channel aligned with or perpendicular to the core equator. Use of a cavity that has been formed to make a channel perpendicular to the core equator avoids core removal difficulties, etc., produced by molding the channel at the equator of the core.
The golf ball further comprises a mantle layer disposed on and encapsulating the core. The mantle layer extends into and fills the channel of the core and is preferably comprised of a composite material having a higher specific gravity than the core. As a result, the channel is positioned in the core about the ball's spin axis in such a manner to produce a gyroscopic center plane.
The specific gravity of the mantle layer is from about 0.60 to about 8.0, more preferably from about 0.85 to about 7.0, and most preferably about 0.90 to about 6.0 or more than the specific gravity of the core component.
The golf ball further comprises a cover molded about the mantle and core assembly. The cover has an outer surface and defines a plurality of dimples along the outer surface.
The golf ball of this embodiment of the invention corrects for side spin, which is often unintentionally imparted to the ball when the ball is struck with the club face either open (which causes slicing of a conventional golf ball) or closed (which causes hooking of a conventional golf ball). This is because the ball of the present invention will revert to the stable, gyroscopic spin axis during spin decay.
More particularly, when the ball of this embodiment of the invention is first struck by a club head, the ball will spin about various axes caused by deviations in the center of gravity, the geometrical center of the ball, etc. However, shortly thereafter, due to the positioning of the high-density materials in the gyroscopic center plane, the ball will spin backwards about a steadying axis, thereby reducing side spin.
In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a self-correcting, multi-piece golf ball that features a core with a molded-in, recessed channel. Composite mantle materials of different specific gravities are utilized to produce a golf ball having the ability to correct its flight path by reorienting itself along a central axis during flight.
The golf ball comprises a generally spherical core component with a molded-in, recessed channel extending about its outer periphery and along its circumference along a common plane. The core component may consist of one or more layers. The golf ball also comprises a mantle layer disposed on and encapsulating the core. The mantle layer extends into the recessed channel of the core. The golf ball further comprises a cover disposed on the mantle layer. The cover may comprise of one or more layers. The cover has an outer surface and defines a plurality of dimples along the outer surface. The specific gravity of the core component can be greater or lesser than the specific gravity of the mantle layer. This is dependent upon the degree of ball correction desired and the other characteristics and/or features of the finished ball.
In a further aspect, the present invention provides a method of forming a multi-layer golf ball having improved spin characteristics. The method comprises a step of providing a material suitable for forming a golf ball core. The method also includes a step of forming a core from that material such that the core provides a recessed, equatorial or longitudinal channel extending about an outer periphery and along the circumference of the core along a common plane. The method additionally includes a step of forming a mantle layer on the core such that a portion of the mantle layer is disposed within the recessed channel. The core and mantle layers differ in specific gravity in an amount sufficient enough to cause the weighted channel to reorient the ball in flight. The method also includes a step of forming a cover layer on the mantle layer.
This method produces a golf ball having stabilization gyroscopic characteristics. That is, regardless of the initial orientation of the ball prior to striking with a club, once struck, the axis of rotation of the ball will change until the axis is perpendicular to the common plane of the channel. This gyroscopic characteristic is beneficial in that it stabilizes the spinning ball and greatly reduces the tendency for the ball to hook or slice.
It may be desirable for putting purposes to stamp an arrow on the outside of the golf ball indicating the location of the internal weighted band. When putting, the ball is placed on the green with the arrow pointing in the direction of the hole. This method will improve the stability and putting accuracy during play.
These and other aspects, features and objects of the invention will be described in more detail below.
The following is a brief description of the drawings, which are presented for the purposes of illustrating the invention and not for the purposes of limiting the same.
The present invention relates to a self-correcting golf ball and more particularly to improved components for golf ball construction and the resulting golf balls produced therefrom having controllable flight characteristics. Specifically, according to the invention, golf balls having improved spin stability are provided. The subject golf balls have a high-density material in at least one component or layer that is selectively distributed to provide a spin-stabilizing, gyroscopic center plane.
The golf balls of the present invention optionally conform to limitations such as size, weight, and others, for example, as specified by the United States Golf Association (USGA), or in accordance with other promulgated or de facto standards. However, since several embodiments of the self-correcting golf ball of the subject invention are particularly beneficial to beginning and average golfers, it is also advantageous to such golfers that these embodiments be made in excess of USGA or other standards. For example, in certain embodiments where increased distance is desired, the subject golf ball can be optionally made in excess of the USGA maximum weight and/or be of a smaller than standard size.
The golf balls of the present invention utilize a selected weight distribution which provides a gyroscopic center plane that stabilizes the spin about a spin axis perpendicular to the center plane. In certain embodiments, the high-density material is applied in various configurations to form high-density regions or longitudinal bands of material which are centered about an equatorial plane of the golf ball. The high density regions or longitudinal bands of material form a gyroscopic center plane of the ball. The high-density material is preferably incorporated into the selected region or regions of a mantle layer or other intermediate layer of the golf ball.
As used herein, the term "high-density material" refers to materials having relatively high densities, i.e., that are heavy or have a specific gravity greater than the base polymeric material of the golf ball component. Preferably, the high-density materials have a specific gravity greater than 1.05, more preferably greater than 1.15, and most preferably greater than 1.20.
The golf balls of the present invention utilize a core which comprises a single core component or layer, or a multi-layer core configuration having two or more core layers. The core or outer core layer defines a recessed channel extending about the outer circumference of the core along a common plane. A mantle layer is uniformly formed about the core or core assembly. The mantle extends into the recessed channel and has a specific gravity preferably greater than the core. A cover comprising one or more layers is subsequently molded about the mantle and core assembly to form a solid, non-wound golf ball.
Referring now to the FIGURES, wherein like reference numerals are used to denote like or analogous components throughout the several views,
The recessed region 14 defined within the core 12, which in turn enables the formation of the longitudinal band formed of the material constituting the mantle 30, is oriented such that the resulting band extends within the ball's gyroscopic center plane P. The center plane P is perpendicular to the desired or designated spin or rotational axis of the ball, shown in
The weight band formed by recessed region 14 is formed of a composite mantle material having a higher density relative to the core body 12. Preferably, the composite mantle material comprises one or more high-density materials incorporated into a polymeric matrix material, which may be the same as or different from the polymer employed in the core body 12.
Irrespective of the material used to form the high density region or band, the core and mantle can be made by a number of methods. For example, the complimentary shape of the core body 12 can be achieved by molding to the desired final shape, or alternatively providing a spherical member and selectively removing material to achieve the desired shape, e.g., by cutting, ablation, and the like.
The mantle can be in the form of either a solid composite material which is molded or cast in the desired pattern, for use with a separately formed core body 12 with a built-in recessed area or to be used in a comolding process. A particulate or fibrous material can be incorporated into the composite as a filler material in the desired regions. The high-density particles may be in the form of powders, granules, flakes, fragments, fibers, whiskers, chopped fibers, milled fibers, and so forth. This is described further in more detail below.
Exemplary high-density materials which may be incorporated in accordance with the present invention to produce the desired weight distribution include, but are not limited to, metals or metal alloys (e.g., solid, powder or other form of bismuth, boron, brass, bronze, cobalt, copper, inconel metal, iron powder, molybdenum, nickel, stainless steel, tungsten, titanium powder, aluminum and the like), metal coated filaments (e.g., nickel, silver, or copper coated graphite fiber or filament and the like), carbonaceous materials (e.g., graphite, carbon black, cotton flock, leather fiber, etc.), aramid fibers (e.g., Kevlar�, Twaron�, or other aramid fibers), alumina, aluminosilicate, quartz, rayon, silica, silicon carbide, silicon nitride, silicon carbonitride, silicon oxycarbonitride, titania, titanium boride, titanium carbide, zirconia toughened alumina, zirconium oxide, black glass ceramic, boron and boron containing particles or fibers (e.g., boron on titania, boron on tungsten, and so forth), boron carbide, boron nitride, ceramics, glass (e.g., A-glass, AR-glass, C-glass, D-glass, E-glass, R-glass, S-glass, S1-glass, S2-glass, and other suitable types of glass), high melting polyolefins (e.g., Spectra� fibers), high strength polyethylene, liquid crystalline polymers, nylon, paraphenylene terephthalamide, polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyetherketone (PEK), polyacrylonitrile, polyamide, polyarylate fibers, polybenzimidazole (PBI), polybenzothiazole (PBT), polybenzoxazole (PBO), polybenzthiazole (PBT), polyester, polyethylene, polyethylene 2,6 naftalene dicarboxylate (PEN), polyethylene phthalate, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl halides, such as polyvinyl chloride, other specialty polymers, and so forth. Mixtures of any such suitable materials may also be employed in order to obtain the high density desired.
When a particulate high-density material is employed, the particles can range in size from about 5 mesh to about 1 micron, preferably about 20 mesh to about 325 mesh and most preferably about 100 mesh to about 1 micron.
Examples of various suitable heavy filler materials which can be used as the high-density material are listed below.
Filler Type
Specific Gravity
Metals and Alloys (powders)
Metal Oxides
zinc oxide
iron oxide
aluminum oxide
titanium dioxide
magnesium oxide
zirconium oxide
Metal Stearates
zinc stearate
calcium stearate
barium stearate
lithium stearate
magnesium stearate
graphite fibers
precipitated hydrated silica
glass fibers
Kevlar � fibers
calcium metasilicate
barium sulfate
zinc sulfide
diatomaceous earth
calcium carbonate
magnesium carbonatel
Particulate carbonaceous materials
carbon black
natural bitumen
cotton flock
cellulose flock
leather fiber
The amount and type of heavy weight filler material utilized is dependent upon the overall characteristics of the self-correcting golf ball desired. Generally, lesser amounts of high specific gravity materials are necessary to produce a desired weight distribution in comparison to low specific gravity materials. Furthermore, other factors, such as handling and processing conditions, can also affect the type and amount of heavy weight filler material incorporated into the high-density regions.
The term "density reducing filler" as used herein refers to materials having relatively low densities, i.e., that are lightweight or have a specific gravity less than the specific gravity of the base polybutadiene rubber of 0.91. Examples of these materials include lightweight filler materials typically used to reduce the weight of a product in which they are incorporated. Specific examples include, for instance, foams and other materials having a relatively large void volume. Typically, such filler materials have specific gravities less than 1.0. A density-reducing filler can be used in other ball components to offset the weight increase due to the dense material in regions, such as when it is desired to provide a golf ball which is in conformance with weight restrictions. The density-reducing filler can also be used to adjust one or more desired properties, such as the MOI, COR, and others.
The different types of composite materials utilized to form the core, mantle and cover materials are more specifically defined below. However, by creating a core with a peripheral, high-density continuous band around the spin axis A, the finished golf ball produced will exhibit a spin correcting gyroscopic effect. In this regard, the weight band forms a gyroscopic center plane P that is centered about spin axis A as described above. The core 12 and the mantle layer 30 are covered by a single cover layer 40, although multiple cover layers are also contemplated.
The mantle layer 30 should be as thin as possible to maximize the weight concentration in the continuous band. A thick heavy mantle is not desirable as it would reduce the connecting effect and may increase the ball weight beyond the 1.620 ounces maximum USGA ball weight.
Furthermore, it is generally preferred that the walls 116 and 118 are parallel with each other and extend at right angles with the surface 120. However, it is contemplated that the angle between either of the walls 116 and 118 with that of the surface 120 may be round or at an angle greater than 90�. Additionally, it is contemplated that the angle between either of the walls 116 and 118 and that of the face 120 may be at an angle less than 90�. This latter configuration would promote interlocking between the core 112 and an adjacent mantle layer extending about the core 112.
As previously noted, the present invention includes golf ball embodiments having various combinations of cover layers and core assembly configurations.
It will be recognized that each of the illustrated embodiments is exemplary and explanatory only. Various other combinations of discrete and continuous bands or channels of high-density material in the composite materials of one or more cover and core layers are also contemplated.
Metal particles, or other heavy weight (high-density) filler materials may be included in the composite materials to form the longitudinal axis region(s) or channel(s) in order to increase the density in these regions to provide the gyroscopic effect. The continuous longitudinal weighted region(s) or channel(s) are configured as annular bands centered about the spin axis as a representative of the gyroscopic center plane, and may be a region doped with a high-density material. The high-density materials preferably have a specific gravity of greater than 1.05, preferably greater than 1.15, more preferably greater than 1.2, and even more preferably greater than 1.3. Particulate materials are provided in an amount ranging from about 1 to about 1500 parts per hundred parts resin (phr), preferably from about 4 to about 1400 phr, and more preferably from about 10 to about 1200 phr.
In certain embodiments, the core, mantle layer, or cover component or components carrying the weighted regions are configured in a manner analogous to conventional components. However, these components are modified to provide the high-density and/or low-density regions.
For example, a core body is compression molded in the typical manner from a slug of uncured or lightly cured elastomer composition comprising a high cis-content polybutadiene and a metal salt of an α, β, ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid such as zinc mono or diacrylate or methacrylate. Additives can optionally be added to achieve higher coefficients of restitution in the core. The manufacturer may include a small amount of a metal oxide such as zinc oxide. In addition, larger amounts of metal oxide than those that are needed to achieve the desired coefficient may be included in order to increase the core weight so that the finished ball more closely approaches the USGA upper weight limit of 1.620 ounces. Other materials may be used in the core composition including compatible rubbers or ionomers, and low molecular weight fatty acids such as stearic acid. Free radical initiator catalysts such as peroxides are admixed with the core composition so that on the application of heat and pressure, a complex curing or cross-linking reaction takes place.
Core components having high-density regions can be formed in a number of ways. For example, a core body, i.e., a one-piece solid core, or an outer component of a multilayer core is generally spherical, but with an annular, surface depression or channel, which corresponds to the location of the high-density region. This may be accomplished, for example, by using well-known compression or injection molding techniques with an appropriately shaped mold.
Alternately, a spherical component is first molded and corresponding depressions or channels are subsequently formed at a later stage, by material removal after the core component hardens or solidifies. Material removal is performed, for example, by cutting, grinding, ablation, routing, abrasion, or the like. The high-density regions are then formed in the depressions or channels by filling with a high-density composite material, co-molding with a polymer doped with a high-density filler material, and the like. A co-molding process is advantageous in that a chemical fusion is formed between the parts.
When a multiple core component is produced, the layers are formed by molding processes currently well known in the golf ball art. Specifically, the golf balls can be produced by injection molding, compression molding, or a similar molding technique, an outer core layer about a smaller, previously molded inner core. Likewise, one or more cover layers are molded about the previously molded single or multi-layer cores or mantle assemblies, with the weighted regions, if any, being formed therein in like manner. The cover layer (or outer cover layer in multi-layer cover golf balls) is molded to produce a dimpled golf ball, preferably having a diameter of 1.680 inches or more. After molding, the golf balls produced may undergo various further processing steps such as buffing, painting, marking, and so forth.
The core component comprises one or more layers comprising a matrix material selected from thermosets, thermoplastics, and combinations thereof. When a dual- or multi-layer core is utilized, the matrix material and other formulation components, as described in greater detail below, in the various layers may be the same or different composition. The outer diameter of the core component may vary in size and is preferably from about 1.30 inches to 1.610 inches, and is most preferably from about 1.47 inches to 1.56 inches.
The core compositions and resulting molded core layer or layers of the present invention are manufactured using relatively conventional techniques. In this regard, the core compositions of the invention preferably are based on a variety of materials, particularly the conventional rubber based materials such as cis-1,4 polybutadiene and mixtures of polybutadiene with other elastomers blended together with crosslinking agents, a free radical initiator, specific gravity controlling fillers, and the like.
Natural rubber, isoprene rubber, EPR, EPDM, styrene-butadiene rubber, or similar thermoset materials may be appropriately incorporated into the base rubber composition of the butadiene rubber to form the rubber component. It is preferred to use butadiene rubber as a base material of the composition for the one or more core layers.
Thus, in the embodiments using a multi-layer core, the same rubber composition, including the rubber base, free radical initiator, and modifying ingredients, can be used in each layer. Different specific gravity controlling fillers or amounts can be used to selectively adjust the weight or moment of inertia of the finished golf ball. Different cross-linking agents can be used to adjust the hardness or resiliency of the different core layers. However, different compositions can readily be used in the different layers, including thermoplastic materials such as a thermoplastic elastomer or a thermoplastic rubber, or a thermoset rubber or thermoset elastomer material.
Some examples of materials suitable for use as the one or more core layers further include, in addition to the above materials, polyether or polyester thermoplastic urethanes, thermoset polyurethanes or metallocene polymers, or blends thereof.
Examples of a thermoset material include a rubber based, castable urethane or a silicone rubber. More particularly, a wide array of thermoset materials can be utilized in the core components of the present invention. Examples of suitable thermoset materials include polybutadiene, polyisoprene, styrene/butadiene, ethylene propylene diene terpolymers, natural rubber polyolefins, polyurethanes, silicones, polyureas, or virtually any irreversibly cross-linkable resin system. It is also contemplated that epoxy, phenolic, and an array of unsaturated polyester resins could be utilized.
The thermoplastic material utilized in the present invention golf balls and, particularly the cores, may be nearly any thermoplastic material. Examples of typical thermoplastic materials for incorporation in the golf balls of the present invention include, but are not limited to, ionomers, polyurethane thermoplastic elastomers, and combinations thereof. It is also contemplated that a wide array of other thermoplastic materials could be utilized, such as polysulfones, polyamide-imides, polyarylates, polyaryletherketones, polyaryl sulfones/polyether sulfones, polyether-imides, polyimides, liquid crystal polymers, polyphenylene sulfides; and specialty high-performance resins, which would include fluoropolymers, polybenzimidazole, and ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylenes.
Additional examples of suitable thermoplastics include metallocenes, polyvinyl chlorides, polyvinyl acetates, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrenes, acrylics, styrene-acrylonitriles, styrene-maleic anhydrides, polyamides (nylons), polycarbonates, polybutylene terephthalates, polyethylene terephthalates, polyphenylene ethers/polyphenylene oxides, reinforced polypropylenes, and high-impact polystyrenes.
Preferably, the thermoplastic materials have relatively high melting points, such as a melting point of at least about 300� F. Several examples of these preferred thermoplastic materials and which are commercially available include, but are not limited to, Capron™ (a blend of nylon and ionomer), Lexan™ polycarbonate, Pebax� polyetheramide and Hytrel™ polyesteramide. The polymers or resin systems may be cross-linked by a variety of means, such as by peroxide agents, sulphur agents, radiation, or other cross-linking techniques, if applicable. However, the use of peroxide crosslinking agents is generally preferred in the present invention.
Any or all of the previously described components in the cores of the golf ball of the present invention may be formed in such a manner, or have suitable fillers added, so that their resulting density is decreased or increased.
The core component of the present invention is manufactured using relatively conventional techniques. In this regard, the preferred compositions for the one or more core layers of the invention may be based on polybutadiene, and mixtures of polybutadiene with other elastomers. It is preferred that the base elastomer have a relatively high molecular weight. The broad range for the molecular weight of suitable base elastomers is from about 50,000 to about 500,000. A more preferred range for the molecular weight of the base elastomer is from about 100,000 to about 500,000. As a base elastomer for the core composition, cis-polybutadiene is preferably employed, or a blend of cis-polybutadiene with other elastomers such as polyisoprene may also be utilized. Most preferably, cis-polybutadiene having a weight-average molecular weight of from about 100,000 to about 500,000 is employed. Elastomers are commercially available and are well known in the golf ball art.
Metal carboxylate crosslinking agents are optionally included in the one or more core layers. The unsaturated carboxylic acid component of the core composition (a co-crosslinking agent) is the reaction product of the selected carboxylic acid or acids and an oxide or carbonate of a metal, such as zinc, magnesium, barium, calcium, lithium, sodium, potassium, cadmium, lead, tin, and the like. Preferably, the oxides of polyvalent metals such as zinc, magnesium and cadmium are used, and most preferably, the oxide is zinc oxide.
Exemplary of the unsaturated carboxylic acids which find utility in the present core compositions are acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, itaconic acid, crotonic acid, sorbic acid, and the like, and mixtures thereof. Preferably, the acid component is either acrylic or methacrylic acid. Usually, from about 12 to about 40, and preferably from about 15 to about 35 parts by weight of the carboxylic acid salt, such as zinc diacrylate, is included in the one or more core layers. The unsaturated carboxylic acids and metal salts thereof are generally soluble in the elastomeric base, or are readily dispersed.
The free radical initiator included in the core compositions is any known polymerization initiator (a co-crosslinking agent) which decomposes during the cure cycle. The term "free radical initiator" as used herein refers to a chemical which, when added to a mixture of the elastomeric blend and a metal salt of an unsaturated, carboxylic acid, promotes crosslinking of the elastomers by the metal salt of the unsaturated carboxylic acid. The amount of the selected initiator present is dictated only by the requirements of catalytic activity as a polymerization initiator. Suitable initiators include peroxides, persulfates, azo compounds and hydrazides. Peroxides are readily commercially available and known in the art. They are conveniently used in the present invention, generally in amounts of from about 0.5 to about 4.0 and preferably in amounts of from about 1.0 to about 3.0 parts by weight per each 100 parts of elastomer and based on 40% active peroxide with 60% inert filler.
Exemplary of suitable peroxides for the purposes of the present invention are dicumyl peroxide, n-butyl 4,4′-bis (butylperoxy) valerate, 1,1-bis(t-butylperoxy)-3,3,5-trimethyl cyclohexane, di-t-butyl peroxide and 2,5-di-(t-butylperoxy)-2,5 dimethyl hexane and the like, as well as mixtures thereof. It will be understood that the total amount of initiators used will vary depending on the specific end product desired and the particular initiators employed.
The core compositions of the present invention may additionally contain any other suitable and compatible modifying ingredients including, but not limited to, metal oxides, fatty acids, diisocyanates, and polypropylene powder resin.
Various activators may also be included in the compositions of the present invention. For example, zinc oxide, calcium oxide and/or magnesium oxide are activators for the polybutadiene. The activator can range from about 2 to about 30 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the rubbers (phr) component.
Fatty acids or metallic salts of fatty acids may also be included in the compositions, functioning to improve moldability and processing. Generally, free fatty acids having from about 10 to about 40 carbon atoms, and preferably having from about 15 to about 20 carbon atoms, are used. Exemplary of suitable fatty acids are stearic acid and linoleic acids, as well as mixtures thereof. Exemplary of suitable metallic salts of fatty acids include zinc stearate. When included in the core compositions, the fatty acid component is present in amounts of from about 1 to about 25, preferably in amounts from about 2 to about 15 parts by weight based on 100 parts rubber (elastomer).
It is preferred that the core compositions include zinc stearate as the metallic salt of a fatty acid in an amount of from about 2 to about 20 parts by weight per 100 parts of rubber.
Diisocyanates may also be optionally included in the core compositions. The diisocyanates act here as moisture scavengers. When utilized, the diioscyanates are included in amounts of from about 0.2 to about 5.0 parts by weight based on 100 parts rubber. Exemplary of suitable diisocyanates is 4,4′-diphenylmethane diisocyanate and other polyfunctional isocyanates known to the art.
Furthermore, the dialkyl tin difatty acids set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 4,844,471, the dispersing agents disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,838,556, and the dithiocarbamates set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 4,852,884 may also be incorporated into the polybutadiene compositions of the present invention. The specific types and amounts of such additives are set forth in the above identified patents, which are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
The preferred core components of the invention are generally comprised of 100 parts by weight of a base elastomer (or rubber) selected from polybutadiene and mixtures of polybutadiene with other elastomers, such as polyisoprene, 12 to 40 parts by weight of at least one metallic salt of an unsaturated carboxylic acid, and 0.5 to 4.0 parts by weight of a free radical initiator (40% active peroxide). However, as mentioned above, the use of at least one metallic salt of an unsaturated carboxylic acid is preferably not included in the formulation of the high-density center core layer.
In addition to polybutadiene, the following commercially available thermoplastic resins are also particularly suitable for use in the noted dual cores employed in the golf balls of the present invention: Capron™ 8351 (available from Allied Signal Plastics), Lexan™ ML5776 (from General Electric), Pebax� 3533 (a polyether block amide from Elf Atochem), and Hytrel™ G4074 (a polyether ester from DuPont).
In addition, various polyisoprenes may also be included in the core components of the present invention.
As mentioned above, the present invention includes golf ball embodiments that utilize one or more core components. For multiple-component cores, a core assembly is provided that comprises a central core component and one or more core layers disposed about the central core component. The second, third, and higher numbers of core layers may be the same as or different from each other and the central core layer.
In producing the golf ball single component cores, and the center or outer layers of multi-component cores, the desired ingredients are intimately mixed, for instance, using two roll mills or a Banbury™ mixer until the composition is uniform, usually over a period of from about 5 to about 20 minutes. The sequence of addition of components is not critical. A preferred blending sequence is described below.
The matrix material or elastomer, powdered metal zinc salt (if desired), a high specific gravity additive such as powdered metal (if desired), a low specific gravity additive (if desired), metal oxide, fatty acid, and the metallic dithiocarbamate (if desired), surfactant (if desired), and tin difatty acid (if desired), are blended for about 7 minutes in an internal mixer such as a Banbury™ mixer. As a result of shear during mixing, the temperature rises to about 200� F. The mixing is desirably conducted in such a manner that the composition does not reach incipient polymerization temperatures during the blending of the various components. The initiator and diisocyanate are then added and the mixing continued until the temperature reaches about 220� F. whereupon the batch is discharged onto a two roll mill, mixed for about one minute and sheeted out.
The sheet is rolled into a "pig" and then placed in a Barwell™ preformer and slugs of the desired weight are produced. The slugs to be used for the core (or center core layer) are then subjected to compression molding at about 140� C. to about 170� C. for about 10 to 50 minutes. Note that the temperature in the molding process is not always required to be constant, and may be changed in two or more steps. In fact, the slugs for the outer core layer are frequently preheated for about one-half hour at about 75� C. prior to molding. After molding, the molded cores (or center layer thereof for multi-component cores) are cooled, the cooling effected, for example, at room temperature for about 4 hours or in cold water for about one hour. The molded cores/center core layers are subjected to a centerless grinding operation whereby a thin layer of the molded core is removed to produce a round center. Alternatively, the cores/center layers are used in the as-molded state with no grinding needed to achieve roundness.
The center is converted into a dual- or multi-layer core by providing at least one layer of core material thereon, which again, may be of similar or different matrix material as the center. Preferably, the outer core layer(s), where present, comprises polybutadiene. Optionally, for example, where a golf ball meeting specified weight requirements is desired, one or more of the inner and outer core layers are weight-adjusted to compensate for the spin-correcting, high-density equatorial regions.
In producing a multi-component core, the one or more outer core layers can be applied around the spherical center by several different types of molding processes. For example, the compression molding process for forming the cover layer(s) of a golf ball that is set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 3,819,795, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, can be adapted for use in producing the core layer(s) of the present invention.
In such a modified process, preforms or slugs of the outer core material, i.e., the thermoset material utilized to form the outer core layer, are placed in the upwardly open, bottom cavities of a lower mold member of a compression molding assembly, such as a conventional golf ball or core platen press. The upwardly facing hemispherical cavities have inside diameters substantially equal to the finished core to be formed. In this regard, the inside diameters of the cavities are slightly larger (i.e., approximately 2.0 percent larger) than the desired finished core size in order to account for material shrinkage.
An intermediate mold member comprising a center Teflon�-coated plate having oppositely-affixed hemispherical protrusions extending upwardly on the upper surface and extending downwardly on the lower surface, each hemispherical protrusion sized to be substantially equal to the centers to be utilized and thus can vary with the various sizes of the centers to be used.
Additional preforms of the same outer core material are subsequently placed on top of the upwardly-projecting hemispherical protrusions affixed to the upper surfaces of the Teflon�-coated plate of the intermediate mold member. The additional preforms are then covered by the downwardly open cavities of the top mold member. Again the downward facing cavities of the top mold member have inside diameters substantially equal to the core to be formed.
Specifically, the bottom mold member is engaged with the top mold member with the intermediate mold member having the oppositely protruding hemispheres being present in the middle of the assembly. The mold members are then compressed together to form hemispherical core halves.
In this regard, the mold assembly is placed in a press and cold formed at room temperature using approximately 10 tons of pressure in a steam press. The molding assembly is closed and heated below the cure activation temperature of about 150� F. for approximately four minutes to soften and mold the outer core layer materials. While still under compression, but at the end of the compression cycle, the mold members are water cooled to a temperature to less than 100EF in order to maintain material integrity for the final molding step. This cooling step is beneficial since cross linking has not yet proceeded to provide internal chemical bonds to provide full material integrity. After cooling, the pressure is released.
The molding assembly is then opened, the upper and lower mold members are separated, and the intermediate mold member is removed while maintaining the formed outer core layer halves in their respective cavities. Each of the halves has an essentially perfectly formed one-half shell cavity or depression in its uncured thermoset material. These one-half shell cavities or depressions were produced by the hemispherical protrusions of the intermediate mold member. Previously molded centers are then placed into the bottom cavities or depressions of the uncured thermoset material. The top portion of the molding assembly is subsequently engaged with the bottom portion and the material that is disposed therebetween is cured for about 12 minutes at about 320� F. Those of ordinary skill in the art relating to free radical curing agents for polymers are conversant with adjustments of cure times and temperatures required to effect optimum results with any specific free radical agent. The combination of the high temperature and the compression force joins the core halves, and bonds the cores to the center. This process results in a substantially continuously outer core layer being formed around the center component.
In an alternative, and in some instances, more preferable compression molding process, the Teflon�-coated plate of the intermediate mold member has only a set of downwardly projecting hemispherical protrusions and no oppositely affixed upwardly-projecting hemispherical protrusions. Substituted for the upwardly-projecting protrusions are a plurality of hemispherical recesses in the upper surface of the plate. Each recess is located in the upper surface of the plate opposite a protrusion extending downwardly from the lower surface. The recess has an inside diameter substantially equal to the center to be utilized and is configured to receive the bottom half of the center.
The previously molded centers are then placed in the cavities located on the upper surface of the plate of the intermediate mold member. Each of the centers extends above the upper surface of the plate of the intermediate mold member and is pressed into the lower surface of the upper preform when the molds are initially brought together during initial compression.
The molds are then separated and the plate removed, with the centers being retained (pressed into) the half shells of the upper preforms. Mating cavities or depressions are also formed in the half shells of the lower preforms by the downwardly projecting protrusions of the intermediate mold member. With the plate now removed, the top portion of the molding assembly is then joined with the bottom portion. In so doing, the centers projecting from the half shells of the upper performs enter into the cavities or depressions formed in the half shells of the lower preforms. The material included in the molds is subsequently compressed, treated and cured as stated above to form a golf ball core having a centrally located center and an outer core layer. This process can continue for any additional added core layers.
After molding, the core (optionally surrounded by one or more outer core layers) is removed from the mold and the surface thereof preferably is treated to facilitate adhesion thereof to the covering materials. Surface treatment can be effected by any of the several techniques known in the art, such as corona discharge, ozone treatment, sand blasting, brush tumbling, and the like. Preferably, surface treatment is effected by grinding with an abrasive wheel.
As stated above, the golf balls of the subject invention may include a mantle and/or a cover, which may comprise a single layer or multiple layers.
The mantle compositions and resulting mantle layers of the present invention are produced as follows. In this regard, mantle compositions of the invention preferably are based on a variety of materials, particularly the conventional rubber based materials such as cis-1,4 polybutadiene and mixtures of polybutadiene with other elastomers blended together with crosslinking agents, a free radical initiator, specific gravity controlling fillers and the like. Materials previously discussed for use in the core can also be used in the mantle.
Any or all of the previously described components in the core or mantle of the golf ball of the present invention may be formed in such a manner, or have suitable fillers added, so that their resulting density is decreased or increased. For example, heavy weight metals and/or filler materials are incorporated into the mantle or core.
As noted herein, the specific gravity of the mantle layer may be either greater than or less than the specific gravity of the core. For embodiments in which the mantle layer has a higher specific gravity than the core, by increasing the specific gravity of the mantle, weight is added to the mantle material disposed in the channel defined in the core. The specific gravity of the core may be adjusted, i.e. decreased, to accommodate for the additional weight in the mantle. Ionomer-based mantles may exhibit specific gravities of about 1.00 while conventional polybutadiene cores may exhibit a specific gravity of about 1.15. The specific gravity of a core with an adjusted specific gravity may be as low as about 1.06. In some versions, the mantle layer is formed as thin as possible to produce a finished ball weight of 46 grams or less. Alternatively, the specific gravity of the core may be increased relative to that of the mantle layer. The increased weight of the core will assist in orienting the core during ball flight.
Referring now to dual- and multi-layer covers, the inner cover layer is preferably in one embodiment harder than the outer cover layer and generally has a thickness in the range of 0.01 to 0.10 inches, preferably 0.03 to 0.07 inches for a 1.68 inch ball and 0.05 to 0.10 inches for a 1.72 inch (or more) ball. The core and inner cover layer together form an inner ball having a coefficient of restitution of 0.780 or more and more preferably 0.790 or more, and a diameter in the range of 1.48-1.64 inches for a 1.68 inch ball and 1.50-1.70 inches for a 1.72 inch (or more) ball. The above-described characteristics of the inner cover layer provide an inner ball having a PGA compression of 100 or less. It is found that when the inner ball has a PGA compression of 90 or less, excellent playability results.
Materials suitable for the inner cover layer are known in the art. Examples of suitable materials for the inner layer compositions include the high acid and low acid ionomers such as those developed by E.I. DuPont de Nemours & Company under the trademark "Surlyn�" and by Exxon Corporation under the trademark "Escor™" or trade name "lotek", or blends thereof. Examples of compositions which may be used as the inner layer herein are set forth in detail in U.S. application Ser. No. 09/505,760 (U.S. Pat. No. 6,433,094) which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/918,860 (U.S. Pat. No. 6,494,792), which is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/896,690 (U.S. Pat. No. 6,267,693) which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/174,765, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 07/776,803 filed Oct. 15, 1991, and Ser. No. 08/493,089 (U.S. Pat. No. 5,688,869), which is a continuation of Ser. No. 07/981,751, which in turn is a continuation of Ser. No. 07/901,660 filed Jun. 19, 1992, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Of course, the inner layer high acid ionomer compositions are not limited in any way to those compositions set forth in said applications. Additional materials suitable for use as the inner cover layer include low acid ionomers, which are known in the art. Other materials suitable for use as the inner cover layer include fully non-ionomeric thermoplastic materials. Suitable non-ionomeric materials include metallocene catalyzed polyolefins or polyamides, polyamide/ionomer blends, polyphenylene ether/ionomer blends, etc., which have a Shore D hardness of 60 or more and a flex modulus of greater than about 30,000 psi, or other hardness and flex modulus values which are comparable to the properties of the ionomers described above. Other suitable materials include but are not limited to thermoplastic or thermosetting polyurethanes, a polyester elastomer such as that marketed by DuPont under the trademark Hytrel™ (polyester amide), or a polyether amide such as that marketed by Elf Atochem S.A. under the trademark Pebax�, a blend of two or more non-ionomeric thermoplastic elastomers, or a blend of one or more ionomers and one or more non-ionomeric thermoplastic elastomers.
Still referring to embodiments having dual- or multi-layer covers, the core component or core and mantle assembly, and the hard inner cover layer formed thereon provide the subject golf ball with power and distance. The outer cover layer is preferably comparatively softer than the inner cover layer. The softness provides for the feel and playability characteristics typically associated with balata or balata-blend balls. The outer cover layer or ply is comprised of a relatively soft, low modulus (about 1,000 psi to about 10,000 psi) and, in an alternate embodiment, low acid (less than 16 weight percent acid) ionomer, an ionomer blend, a non-ionomeric thermoplastic or thermosetting material such as, but not limited to, a metallocene catalyzed polyolefin such as EXACT™ material available from EXXON�, a polyurethane, a polyester amide elastomer such as that marketed by DuPont under the trademark Hytrel™, or a polyether amide such as that marketed by Elf Atochem S.A. under the trademark Pebax�, a blend of two or more non-ionomeric thermoplastic or thermosetting materials, or a blend of one or more ionomers and one or more non-ionomeric thermoplastic materials.
The outer layer is fairly thin (i.e. from about 0.010 to about 0.10 inches in thickness, more desirably 0.03 to 0.06 inches in thickness for a 1.680 inch ball and 0.03 to 0.06 inches in thickness for a 1.72 inch or more ball), but thick enough to achieve desired playability characteristics while minimizing expense. Thickness is defined as the average thickness of the non-dimpled areas of the outer cover layer. Preferably, the outer cover layer has a Shore D hardness of at least 1 point softer than the inner cover, although the outer layer may be the same or harder than the inner layer in some embodiments.
The outer cover layer of the invention is formed over a core to result in a golf ball having a coefficient of restitution of at least 0.760, more preferably at least 0.770, and most preferably at least 0.780. The coefficient of restitution of the ball will depend upon the properties of both the core and the cover. The PGA compression of the golf ball is 100 or less, and preferably is 90 or less.
Additional materials may also be added to the inner and outer cover layer of the present invention as long as they do not substantially reduce the playability properties of the ball. Such materials include dyes (for example, Ultramarine Blue™ sold by Whitaker, Clark, and Daniels of South Plainsfield, N.J.) (see U.S. Pat. No. 4,679,795), pigments such as titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, barium sulfate and zinc sulfate; UV absorbers; optical brighteners such as Eastobrite™ OB-1 and Uvitex™ OB antioxidants; antistatic agents; and stabilizers. Moreover, the cover compositions of the present invention may also contain softening agents such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,312,857 and 5,306,760, including plasticizers, metal stearates, processing acids, etc., and reinforcing materials such as glass fibers and inorganic fillers, as long as the desired properties produced by the golf ball covers of the invention are not impaired.
It will be appreciated that the present invention provides at least two (2) strategies for improving the spin characteristics of a golf ball. The first technique is to decrease the specific gravity of a core having a channel extending about its outer periphery while increasing the specific gravity of a mantle layer immediately adjacent and alongside the core. Alternatively, another technique is to increase the specific gravity of the core having the equatorial channel defined about its outer periphery while decreasing the specific gravity of the mantle component immediately adjacent to the core.
The invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiment. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding detailed description. It is intended that the invention be construed as including all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims and the equivalents thereof.
|Cited Patent
|Filing date
|Publication date
|Apr 23, 1902
|Jul 15, 1902
|Eleazer Kempshall
|Feb 3, 1903
|May 19, 1903
|Herbert Montague Singer
|Apr 7, 1902
|Aug 25, 1903
|Wilfrid Maurice Short
|Dec 31, 1912
|Dec 15, 1914
|Louis Steinberger
|Mar 28, 1911
|May 9, 1916
|Frank L O Wadsworth
|Feb 20, 1957
|Nov 11, 1958
|Tudor Metal Products Corp
|Rollable playing piece for a game
|Sep 12, 1963
|Apr 11, 1967
|Pcr Patent Dev Corp
|Unitary molded golf ball
|Oct 11, 1965
|Mar 12, 1968
|Uniroyal Inc
|Composition of matter and golf ball made therefrom
|Feb 1, 1966
|May 21, 1968
|Du Pont
|Golf ball
|Oct 2, 1972
|Jun 25, 1974
|D Nepela
|Golf ball
|Jan 2, 1974
|Apr 1, 1975
|William J Kahle
|Toy ball
|Oct 28, 1975
|Nov 15, 1977
|The United States Of America As Represented By The Department Of Commerce
|Bowling ball including a means for displacing the center of gravity
|Jun 26, 1978
|Nov 6, 1979
|Colgate-Palmolive Company
|Golf ball
|Jun 29, 1978
|Mar 25, 1980
|Farmer William R
|Erratically rollable game device
|May 29, 1979
|Oct 21, 1980
|Colgate-Palmolive Company
|Method of making golf balls
|Jun 2, 1980
|Jun 23, 1981
|Questor Corporation
|Golf ball having cellular cover
|Oct 27, 1980
|Jun 1, 1982
|Caffrey Michael S
|Superior performance yo-yo
|Oct 11, 1984
|Sep 2, 1986
|Zoran Bozinovic
|Zig-zag ball
|Jan 14, 1986
|May 12, 1987
|Tardiff George E
|Practice putting ball
|Apr 18, 1986
|Jul 14, 1987
|Spalding & Evenflo Companies, Inc.
|Optical brighteners in golf ball covers
|Feb 17, 1988
|Sep 5, 1989
|Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.
|Multi-piece solid golf ball
|May 7, 1990
|Dec 4, 1990
|Hsi Chou Huang
|Portable gyroscopic golf ball centerplane marking device
|Nov 8, 1990
|Jun 25, 1991
|Gentiluomo Joseph A
|Golf ball
|Jul 8, 1991
|Apr 14, 1992
|Gentiluomo Joseph A
|Golf ball
|Jul 1, 1992
|Apr 26, 1994
|Lisco, Inc.
|Improved golf ball cover compositions containing high levels of fatty acid salts
|Jan 9, 1992
|May 17, 1994
|Lisco, Inc.
|Golf ball cover compositions containing high levels of metal stearates
|Jul 13, 1993
|Oct 25, 1994
|Amf Bowling, Inc.
|Bumper bowling game and erratically rollable weighted bowling ball
|Jun 21, 1995
|Nov 18, 1997
|Lisco, Inc.
|Golf ball cover compositions
|Apr 29, 1997
|Jul 14, 1998
|Melvin; Terrence
|Multi-core, multi-cover golf ball
|Feb 10, 1997
|Jul 14, 1998
|Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
|Multi-piece solid golf ball
|Dec 19, 1996
|Jul 14, 1998
|Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
|Solid golf ball
|Oct 9, 1996
|Sep 15, 1998
|Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
|Solid golf ball
|Apr 23, 1997
|Dec 8, 1998
|Acushnet Company
|Golf ball
|Nov 21, 1997
|Mar 2, 1999
|Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
|Three-piece solid golf ball
|Nov 21, 1997
|May 4, 1999
|Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
|Three-piece solid golf ball
|Mar 27, 1998
|Nov 16, 1999
|Spalding Sports Worldwide, Inc.
|Perimeter weighted golf ball with visible weighting
|Aug 20, 1998
|Nov 16, 1999
|Callaway Golf Company
|Golf ball
|Jan 16, 1998
|Dec 21, 1999
|Owens; Timothy M.
|Golf ball
|Nov 6, 1997
|Jan 4, 2000
|Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.
|Multi-piece solid golf ball
|Mar 17, 1998
|Mar 7, 2000
|Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
|Method for preparing golf balls using an injection mold
|May 29, 1998
|Apr 4, 2000
|Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
|Multi-piece solid golf ball
|Sep 8, 1998
|Apr 11, 2000
|Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
|Golf ball
|Jan 20, 1998
|Sep 12, 2000
|Spalding Sports Worldwide, Inc.
|Golf ball with cover having at least three layers
|Feb 11, 1999
|Sep 19, 2000
|Spalding Sports Worldwide, Inc.
|Low spin golf ball comprising a mantle having a hollow interior
|Feb 20, 1998
|Nov 7, 2000
|Spalding Sports Worldwide, Inc.
|Golf ball comprising a metal, ceramic, or composite mantle or inner layer
|Aug 10, 1998
|Jan 16, 2001
|Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
|Multi-piece solid golf ball
|Sep 25, 1998
|Jan 30, 2001
|Acushnet Company
|Dual core golf ball compositions
|Feb 11, 1999
|Feb 27, 2001
|Spalding Sports Worldwide, Inc.
|Low spin golf ball comprising a mantle with a cellular or liquid core
|Jan 27, 1999
|Mar 6, 2001
|Sanjay M. Kuttappa
|Three piece golf ball
|Nov 12, 1997
|Jun 12, 2001
|Spalding Sports Worldwide, Inc.
|Golf ball comprising a metal mantle with a cellular or liquid core
|Feb 11, 1999
|Jul 17, 2001
|Spalding Sports Worldwide, Inc.
|Low spin golf ball utilizing perimeter weighting
|Sep 13, 1999
|Aug 21, 2001
|Spalding Sports Worldwide, Inc.
|Three piece golf ball with a spherical metal center
|Mar 18, 1998
|Oct 9, 2001
|Spalding Sports Worldwide, Inc.
|Golf ball with multiple shell layers
|Nov 7, 1997
|Oct 30, 2001
|Spalding Sports Worldwide, Inc.
|Golf ball comprising a metal mantle having a hollow interior
|Nov 1, 1999
|Nov 13, 2001
|Spalding Sports Worldwide, Inc.
|Perimeter weighted golf ball with visible weighting
|Nov 23, 1999
|Nov 26, 2002
|Acushnet Company
|Golf ball
|Citing Patent
|Filing date
|Publication date
|Mar 12, 2010
|Sep 17, 2013
|Nike, Inc.
|Golf ball with indicia to indicate imparted shear force
|Jun 21, 2005
|Dec 21, 2006
|Grace Liao
|Bocce ball
|Mar 12, 2010
|Sep 15, 2011
|Nike, Inc.
|Golf Ball With Inidicia To Indicate Imparted Shear Force
|Jul 5, 2013
|Jan 8, 2015
|Nike, Inc.
|Multi-layer golf ball
|Jul 5, 2013
|Jan 15, 2015
|Nike, Inc.
|Multi-layer golf ball
|Jul 5, 2013
|Jan 15, 2015
|Nike, Inc.
|Multi-layer golf ball
|Jul 5, 2013
|Jan 15, 2015
|Nike, Inc.
|Multi-layer golf ball
|U.S. Classification
|International Classification
|Cooperative Classification
|European Classification
|Sep 18, 2003
Owner name: TOP-FLITE GOLF COMPANY, THE, MASSACHUSETTS
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:LACROIX, MATTHEW K.;BINETTE, MARK L.;NESBITT, R. DENNIS;REEL/FRAME:014536/0962;SIGNING DATES FROM 20030908 TO 20030915
|Jul 25, 2008
|Fee payment
Year of fee payment: 4
|Jul 25, 2012
|Fee payment
Year of fee payment: 8


text:
Book online or call 800-246-8357This call is free. 24 hours a day; 7 days a week.
Hotels in Lima near Lima, OH (AOH-Allen County)
Hotels near Allen County Fairgrounds
Hotels near Armstrong Air and Space Museum
Hotels near Auglaize Antique Mall
Hotels near Grand Lake St Marys State Park
Hotels near Hickory Sticks Golf Club
Hotels near Indian Lake State Park
Hotels near Limaland Motorsports Park
Hotels near Lima Memorial Hospital
Hotels near Ohio State University Lima
Hotels near Rhodes State College
Hotels near Smiley Park
Hotels near University of Northwestern Ohio
Hotels near Van Wert Civic Theatre
Hotels near Van Wert County Historical Society
Hotels in Lima
Hotels in St. Marys
Hotels in Wapakoneta
Sign up for our latest offers
Download the app and book on the go
Join now to collect 10 nights, get 1 free*
© 2016 Hotels.com, L.P. All rights reserved.
Hotels.com and the Hotels.com logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Hotels.com, LP in the U.S. and/or other countries. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.
* Learn more about Hotels.com® Rewards

subset: commoncrawl


text: In a St. Joseph Health Scene report, for women, coffee can do more than wake you up, it could save your life. A new study found a morning cup of java cut stroke risk in women by 12 to 20%. The biggest benefit appeared in women who drank 4 or more cups of coffee a day.


text:
As I noted when laying down the ground rules, the Fantasy Forecaster is designed primarily to help fantasy owners in weekly lineup leagues make their tough lineup calls. However, since I'm thinking about it, I want to discuss a couple of recent NBA games, because their outcomes are instructive for those who play in leagues that allow daily lineup changes.
First, on Nov. 9, the Indiana Pacers wiped the floor with the visiting Denver Nuggets. The Pacers swished 16 3-pointers on the night and amassed 54 of their 144 points in the third quarter alone. Darren Collison scored 29 points on 12-of-14 shooting, and Mike Dunleavy, who'd averaged just 10.2 points on 34.6 percent shooting from the field in his first five games, went for 31 points despite playing just 24 minutes.
Two nights later, the Chicago Bulls hosted the Golden State Warriors, and this outcome was never in doubt, either. The Bulls shot almost 55 percent while racking up a preposterous 14 steals and 10 blocks in their 120-90 victory.
So what connects these two games, besides their fantasy-fun-ness? It's that both the Nuggets and the Warriors were playing for the fourth time in five days.
As NBA fans, we understand that during the course of 82 games, every team will occasionally be disadvantaged by the schedule. And while fantasy owners get few opportunities to capitalize on this reality, there will be times when you face a 50-50, coin flip-type lineup call. When that happens, digging a little deeper and considering factors like home versus away, or an opponent that's concluding a grueling road trip, could help you with your decision.
Can you tell I spend considerable time pondering the NBA schedule? This stems mostly from my three-plus seasons of writing this feature for ESPN.com, but another factor is my own primary league, which consists of 20 teams and more than two dozen basketball-crazed owners (we have a few co-owned teams) residing on three continents. In an environment like this, you search for every little edge.
So with this in my background, I believe I can tell you with some authority that the NBA team with the most fantasy-friendly schedule in 2010-11 is the Denver Nuggets.
Here's how I arrived at this conclusion: I did a quick search of the remaining NBA schedule, focusing on days with no more than three NBA games. Then I counted them up. The idea is if you're in a daily lineup league and you have a player going on a day with few NBA games, you have an advantage because you're getting one more game worth of stats than most other teams in your league.
Now, schedules are supposed to even out, but, in this regard, they don't seem to. From now through the end of this season, the Nuggets play on 11 different days on which the NBA schedule has three or fewer games. The Bulls, Dallas Mavericks and Portland Trail Blazers all play 10 times on these days. On the other end of that spectrum is the Toronto Raptors. The Raptors don't have a single game on what I'll call a "light schedule" day. The Detroit Pistons and New Orleans Hornets have just one.
I wouldn't call this earth-shattering information, and I certainly don't suggest you run out and trade Andrea Bargnani for J.R. Smith. But in a daily lineup league, it might make you a little quicker to add Arron Afflalo, who's still available in more than 30 percent of ESPN.com leagues. In a deeper daily lineup league, you might be more inclined to stash Chris Andersen, who could return to action in a couple of weeks. Mostly, though, it's what I said up front: I spend a lot of time on the NBA schedule. I thought I'd share.
"R" matchup ratings are based upon a scale from 1 (poor matchup) to 10 (excellent matchup), and are calculated using a formula that evaluates the team's year-to-date and past 10 games' statistics, their performance in home/road games depending on where the game is to be played, as well as their opponents' numbers in those categories. The Games T / H column lists the team's total number of games played as well as home games (T / H), and lists the overall rating from 1-10 for that week's matchups.
The week ahead: Teams to watch
Looking ahead to the games of Nov. 15 to Nov. 21. Note: The Atlanta Hawks play just two games in the coming week.
Cleveland Cavaliers (PHI, @NO, @SA): One of the many popular roster adds in ESPN.com leagues is Daniel Gibson. Though he's coming off the bench, Gibson has played at least 27 minutes in seven of his first eight games. What's especially nice about his start for the LeBron-less Cavs (and fantasy owners) is the display of playmaking skills. Boobie is averaging a healthy 4.4 dimes so far, this compared to his career 1.8 assist total. Surprisingly, San Antonio Spurs opponents are eighth in 3-pointers made so far, while Philadelphia 76ers opponents are only 28th. In 2009-10, Spurs opponents had the fewest 3s, while Sixers opponents had the second most.
Dallas Mavericks (NO, @NO, CHI, @ATL): Tyson Chandler beat out Brendan Haywood in the preseason, and he continues to do the job at center for the Mavs. Chandler's consistency -- in his first seven games he has at least eight boards in five of them and he's blocked at least one shot in six of them -- makes him useful in leagues of at least 12 teams. All the better if he continues to take a few more shots, since Chandler is a stupendous 17-of-23 (73.9 percent) from the field. As far as this slate of games goes, get used to dreading the fast-starting Hornets, who look like a tough matchup in most metrics. For instance, Hornets opponents are just 28th in blocks.
Indiana Pacers (ATL, LAC, ORL): After being suspended for the season's first five games, Brandon Rush debuted with 16 points, seven rebounds and a couple of 3s in 30 minutes in that Nov. 9 blowout of the Nuggets. It will be interesting to see how the Pacers allocate minutes to Dunleavy and Rush, but the Kansas product, who started 64 games last season, should be a factor. Rush, who's available in about 90 percent of ESPN.com leagues, is well worth adding in most formats. And he's a decent play here, given that Los Angeles Clippers opponents are second in treys.
Toronto Raptors (@WAS, @PHI, HOU, BOS): While he's battled knee and thumb injuries, Jarrett Jack has been fairly steady. He's scored in double figures in five straight games and has at least four assists in seven of his first eight. I'm not sure if Jack's 1.4 steals are sustainable (given his career 0.8 mark), but Sixers and Houston Rockets opponents are eighth and 10th, respectively, in this regard. Washington Wizards opponents are ninth in assists, though Boston Celtics opponents are only 24th.
Washington Wizards (TOR, @BOS, MEM, @DET): In his first six games, Al Thornton is averaging 16.0 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.2 steals while shooting 54.1 percent. He should be able to continue the hot shooting with Pistons and Raptors opponents sixth and seventh in field goal percentage. Memphis Grizzlies opponents, meanwhile, are fifth in scoring.
Fantasy find of the week
Eric Bledsoe, PG, Los Angeles Clippers (@MIN, @IND, NY): Since my initial full-throated endorsement of Bledsoe, Baron Davis has returned and then returned to the sidelines. (He played 10 minutes on Nov. 9 against the Hornets, then sat out the next night.) Bledsoe is looking more and more like a long-term starter. Certainly, he's green, so don't expect consistent Raymond Felton-, Jrue Holiday- or even Tony Parker-type value, but the 20-year-old has made fast progress. Through six starts, he's averaging 11.5 points, 7.3 assists, 4.0 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 1.0 blocks on 49.2 percent shooting. Bledsoe ownership is climbing, but he remains available in about 70 percent of ESPN.com leagues. Assists are tough to find, especially in free agency. So get Bledsoe and, yes, activate him with this schedule. Minnesota Timberwolves opponents are tops in assists and fifth in steals, while Pacers opponents are sixth in thefts. As for the New York Knicks, they'll be playing for the fourth time in five days when they face the Clippers. For those in daily lineup leagues, you know what to do.
Neil Tardy is a fantasy basketball analyst for ESPN.com. Send him your lineup-related questions at firstname.lastname@example.com.


text:
There's nothing like finding yourself on the VIP list and moved to the front of the line for special treatment, especially when the whole group gets to join you. Virginia Beach offers groups the kind of welcome that ripples through the crowd with an array of Live the Life Adventures. Created around our visitors' interests and designed to provide memorable experiences at a pace and scope suited to groups of various sizes, Adventures offer behind-the-scenes and sometimes exclusive access to some of Virginia Beach's most popular pursuits. To discover the range of experiences offered, explore the categories below.
Each Live the Life Adventure has its own brightly colored metal badge, a pin provided to participants as a token of their participation – and a keepsake of their good times together.
The Virginia Beach Group Tour team has plenty of ways to help make your next trip a success, and is always ready to answer questions or send you a planner and itinerary packet. Call us at 800-700-7702 for planning assistance.
Be the first to receive updates on fun
happenings in Virginia Beach.
Thanks for signing up! With all the exciting
events coming up, you'll be glad you did.
We will send you an email to confirm your request.
Directions Sitemap Submit Listings Privacy Policy
VisitVirginiaBeach.com is the official website for the Virginia Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau
Copyright © 2016 Virginia Beach CVB


text:
OSI-Approved Open Source (146)
- GNU General Public License version 2.0 (77)
- GNU Library or Lesser General Public License version 2.0 (17)
- BSD License (16)
- MIT License (11)
- Apache License V2.0 (7)
- GNU General Public License version 3.0 (4)
- GNU Library or Lesser General Public License version 3.0 (4)
- Academic Free License (3)
- Common Public License 1.0 (3)
- Eclipse Public License (3)
- Affero GNU Public License (2)
- Artistic License (2)
- Educational Community License, Version 2.0 (2)
- Mozilla Public License 1.1 (2)
- Open Software License 3.0 (2)
- Public Domain (5)
- Grouping and Descriptive Categories (122)
- Linux (117)
- Mac (99)
- Android (30)
- Modern (26)
- Other Operating Systems (8)
Version Control Software
- Subversion
- Git
- Mercurial
- Bazaar
Hot topics in Version Control Softwarepastebin c# cvs msi javagit cvs mobile app builder git dbisam file sharing php cvs server
External diff Tool (Eclipse Plugin)
External diff Tool is an Eclipse plugin that allows the launch of an external diff tool for file compares rather than the default built-in Eclipse diff tool. This plugin doesn't replace the built-in Eclipse tool. It only adds a new menu item to the GUI.52 weekly downloads
A Windows Installer Database To XML Bi-Directional Converter. The command line tool msi2xml converts Windows Installer Databases (.msi) to text based XML files. The complementary tool xml2msi reconstructs the .msi from the XML file.119 weekly downloads
A-A-P helps you with distributed development of software. Install a program on your system, obtain the sources and make modifications, manage multiple versions of the same project, distribute packages and much more. A-A-P runs on many operating systems.23 weekly downloads
Bringing the power of Git to Java developers, JavaGit is a Java API that provides easy access to git repositories for Java programs.31 weekly downloads
Target of the project is to simplify access right management of a Subversion server running with webdav on apache2. Users and groups can be imported out of an LDAP directory or added manually.8 weekly downloads
GitHub Gist plugin for QtCreator7 weekly downloads
C# Cvs library
Designer and Creator - Mike Krueger: Maintainer - Clayton Harbour What is Sharpcvslib? Sharpcvslib is a client cvs library written in c#. What can it do for you? It can be used in your applications to allow access to cvs repositories. It supp6 weekly downloads
Narya Project Incubator and Forum
Narya is a forum/incubator software, based on a Python/Zope/MySQL platform. Emphasis on graphics support and collaboration for space and technology development. Compare PHP/MySQL forums.6 weekly downloads
A JSF based webapplications which let Subversion user change their password by themself and let the Subversion admin add and delete users from any Subversion repository.6 weekly downloads
Blue Lock Source Control
LAN based source code control application for the windows platform written in Delphi 7 Enterprise Edition. Please note newer downloads at homepage.4 weekly downloads
New Repository
nR is a java XML repository. Automatic total reuse so that differencing is not required. Data stored in a SQL Database of your choice. (MySql & Oracle9i Linux/Win32). THE perfect way to store structured data, maximal compression & total information about3 weekly downloads
SCC plugin for TortoiseCVS
This plugin allows you to access CVS directly from within Visual Studio and other IDEs/editors. The dialogs are designed to be as unobtrusive as possible, and not by default offer options etc. that are seldom used.3 weekly downloads
Gives an overview (in a graphical-directory-view) where changes have to be done/expected on a three-way-diff. Not to be used for the actual diff/merge itself, but usefull to get an overview in advance.2 weekly downloads
CVS is the Concurrent Versions System, the dominant open-source network-transparent version control system. This project is designed to first create a GUI wrapper for the BeOS version and then next to integrate it into a complete application.2 weekly downloads
Crypto Hook
A hook script usable with TortoiseSVN (and possible other subversion clients/GUIs) providing transparent repository encryption (encryption/decryption at the client side).2 weekly downloads
EasyCM is to provide an easy way to install and setup an integrated SCM environment including Apache, SVN, Trac, and so on.2 weekly downloads
IWeaver Web Editor
IWeaver is an open source web page builder for Windows. As primary tools we give you JavaScript and HTML editors. Both of them have some useful features to make creation of your site easier. JavaScript templates help you to make dynamic pahges very fast.2 weekly downloads
Java Enterprise TeamWork
JETeam is a J2EE Quality Management Application that aims to help members of a team to work together by offering enterprise services such as remote project and task management and analysis. Jeteam is a pure Java Implementation using J2EE.2 weekly downloads
Open Source Development CMS
This is a research project yielding a basis for a configuration management system (CMS) designed around the open source development (OSD) process. By first analyzing the OSD process and tools in its current state, the project aims to develop a system tha2 weekly downloads
Pointrel Social Semantic Desktop
The Pointrel System is an RDF-like triple store implemented on the Java/JVM platform, supporting related social semantic desktop applications to create, use, exchange, and organize informational resources for a reasonably joyful and secure world.2 weekly downloads
TCL DB Revision Control System
tclDBRCS is a database oriented revision control system which is fully database oriented and features full project/tag/branch support. It also supports optional encryption of file content. Can be used inside other applications as a package.2 weekly downloads
cb-svn is a plugin for the code::blocks IDE providing advanced Subversion integration via the project manager popup menu. As an alternative, cb-svn also offers basic CVS support.2 weekly downloads
PHP and Git based pastebin2 weekly downloads
Simple SVN server management tool based on Pylons Web Framework.2 weekly downloads
A CVS pserver implementation that works against an SVN (Subversion) repository. Useful for e.g. old build-scripts or legacy application when migrating from cvs to svn.2 weekly downloads


text:
THQ Announces Metro 2033
Post-apocalyptic shooter based on bestselling Russian novel.
It's been nearly two decades since the end of the Cold War, but post-nuclear war landscapes are still fashionable. How else to explain Fallout 3, and now Metro 2033, a newly-announced first-person shooter based on a Russian novel of the same name?
Developed by the Ukrainian studio 4A Games, Metro 2033 features a community living in the Moscow subway some twenty years after a nuclear holocaust. And as you might expect, they are under siege by mutant horrors.
The original novel was written by Dmitry Glukhovsky and published on his website. The dystopic analysis of present-day Russian society quickly took off with readers, and has since made its way west.
Glukhovsky has released a sequel titled Metro 2034, and is now in talks with Hollywood about making a movie. So expect to hear a lot more about Metro 2033 by the time it arrives on the Xbox 360 and PC.
See Also
THQ Giving Away Red Faction Guerilla PC as Metro 2033 Pre-order Bonus
Comments (5)
sounds pretty sweetPosted: Oct 25, 2009 12:00AM PST by Body_Bags4u
Hopefully it turns out good.
sounds coolPosted: Oct 22, 2009 12:00AM PST by blackrevenger
I cant wait to hear more.


text:
Copyright © 2016 Interactive One, LLC . All Rights Reserved - Interactive One Women.
All Rights Reserved
Powered by WordPress.com VIP
A Louisville, KY mother of 3, ages 9 and 3 (twins), died after making a heroic effort to save her…
Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.
Join 467 other followers


text:
As most Pokémon Go users continue to wander around church parking lots and apartment hallways—as well as more dangerous areas near cliffs and in dark alleys—others are beginning to implement innovative new methods of gameplay. Indeed, the game found its way into a most unexpected place over the weekend: the mixed martial arts arena. Show More Summary
London, UK (July 11, 2016). The truth is being suppressed across the world using a variety of methods, according to a special report in the 250th issue of Index on Censorship magazine. read more
The truth is being suppressed across the world using a variety of methods, according to a special report.
I recently detailed why using the 'Fed Model' to buy stocks has never been more dangerous. In this post, I want to demonstrate another method that shows why stocks aren't... The post Warren Buffett's Favorite Valuation Tool Shows Stocks Are Even Less Attractive Than Record-Low-Yielding Bonds Right Now was originally published at The Wall Street Examiner. Follow the money!
As India has been revamping its patent policy, there had been some serious concerns about broadening patent subject matter eligibility to include software and business methods. Earlier this year, however, the Indian Patent Office clarified that it would not allow patenting of just straight software patents. Show More Summary
However, as broken as it seems sometimes, as harsh and dangerous as it looks from a distance, there's a beauty to it upon closer inspection. Much as there is a method to the madness, there's a beauty to the destruction.
A promising new method for identifying atherosclerotic plaques, the encased deposits in arteries that restrict blood flow and can lead to heart attack or stroke, has been revealed by researchers. The technique combines two different types of imaging, allowing for an unprecedented combination of depth and detail. Show More Summary
Collaboration between two NIBIB-funded labs has revealed a promising new method for identifying atherosclerotic plaques, the encased deposits in arteries that restrict blood flow and can lead to heart attack or stroke. The technique combines two different types of imaging, allowing for an unprecedented combination of depth and detail. Show More Summary
BEIRUT (AP) — Volunteers in opposition-held areas of Syria are forced to improvise as they carry out one of the world's most dangerous tasks: dismantling cluster munitions, land mines and explosive booby-traps as they work to make battle-torn...Show More Summary
A pediatrics group says it's OK for babies as young as 2 months old to sleep train — advice that other doctors say could be dangerous.
It turns out artist Damien Hirst's famous displays of dead animals preserved in formaldehyde may have been dangerous to more than just artistic sensibilities. A study published this month in Analytical Methods found Hirst's pieces were leaking formaldehyde gas at levels 10 times higher than the legal limit during a...
The report that Jared Leto sent his Suicide Squad castmates used condoms was both gross—a case could be made that it constitutes sexual assault—and the nadir of misunderstanding about what Method acting is and how it should be undertaken. Show More Summary
We told you a while back about a project to brainstorm methods for warning future civilizations about the dangers of nuclear waste dumps. It said, in part, But the strangest suggestion by far came from two European linguists. They argued that governments around the world should breed cats that turn colors when exposed to radiation. Show More Summary
Lindsay Lohan, the Kardashians, and numerous other reality stars are hawking a dangerous and useless method for losing weight.
On April 7, Facebook published a blog post about the Messenger's ability to allow people to communicate with businesses through the app. For those who are not familiar with this method of communication, business who set up pages on Facebook have a direct messaging feature added last year, which when used, directly establishes a chat... Show More Summary
ANN ARBOR--On your car windshield, ice is a nuisance. But on an airplane, a wind turbine, an oil rig or power line, it can be downright dangerous. And removing it with the methods that are available today--usually chemical melting agents or labor-intensive scrapers and hammers--is difficult and expensive work. read more
Scientists are constantly searching for new methods of combating harmful viruses, but it's not always necessary to create fresh drugs to deal with new threats. A team of researchers from the Universities of Leeds, Glasgow and Nottingham...Show More Summary
The use of sound is one of the most common methods of communication both in the animal kingdom and between humans. Animals use vocalization and calls to communicate and share critical information about food, dangers and individual intentions. Vocalization in the animal kingdom, as far as we know, relies on relatively small vocabulary of sounds, […]
When life hacks fail, why not try difficult, labor-intensive, and/or dangerous methods?
. Join the conversation about this story » NOW WATCH: This man makes beautiful glass objects using dangerous, archaic methods


text:
$theTitle=wp_title(" - ", false); if($theTitle != "") { ?>
Green Day isn't exactly the first musical act that comes to mind when one mentions holiday tunes. Perhaps after listening to this, the rock band will.
Rather than covering a classic Christmas song, Green Day spreads holiday cheer with an original track titled "Xmas Time Of The Year." The lyrics maybe somewhat on the traditional side, but the beat is full-on punk. Glad to see that the Billie Joe Armstrong-fronted band stayed true to their signature sound.
Hopefully this is a sign that new music is on the way from Green Day. Their last offering was the ¡Uno! ¡Dos! ¡Tré! trilogy released back in 2012. Give their holiday track a listen below.
The last final stretch heading into Christmas can be a stressful time. Dealing with the crowds, last minute shopping and juggling an overbooked social schedule, can easily lead to a mini meltdown. Save your sanity by taking a quick timeout to check out this sexy distraction.
Hunkappella LA (how adorkable is that name?) get into the holiday spirit by singing some of your favorite seasonal classics. Not only are they pleasing to your ears, the quintet also serve a tasty treat to your other senses, specifically your eyes. They appear shirtless in several of their Yuletide getups. Watch the cute mashup clip below.
I suppose it's not really that shocking. Ariana Grande loves the holiday season. She released the EP Christmas Kisses back in 2013 and last year, the 22-year-old chanteuse dropped the Yuletide track, "Santa Tell Me." This year's offering is a 6-track offering titled Christmas & Chill. Girlfriend needs to release a full length holiday album next time around.
Speaking of albums, still no word on when her long-awaited third studio LP, Moonlight, is coming. "Focus" has already lost its buzz. It's a bit worrisome that her team hasn't revealed a new single or release date. Are there problems behind the scenes? In the meantime, check out Christmas & Chill below, which features all original tracks.
Tis the season for giving and Ellie Goulding is taking that to heart. The 28-year-old singer shows her appreciation to her fans by recording a holiday track and releasing it as a free download.
Goulding definitely has plenty to be thankful for in 2015. She just scored her first-ever Grammy nomination, thanks to her hit "Love Me Like You Do." Her recent album, Delirium, was both critically and commercially well-received.
Check out her holiday track below. Given her angelic voice, it's not surprising her rendition of "O Holy Night" is magical and heavenly. Fingers crossed a full-length Christmas album is in her future plans. It would do gangbusters.
I'm pretty certain in gay households across the land, that's not the case. This past weekend, I headed to several holiday parties where the Mariah Carey classic played on repeat. No matter how many times it played, everyone ate it up like all those holiday treats.
According to PlayNetwork, "All I Want For Christmas Is You" is no longer the most-played song. The company curates the music and entertainment media for more than 400 stores including Urban Outfitters, Levis, Marc Jacobs and Forever 21 to name a few.
After analyzing the data, PlayNetwork reports the Carey classic, which has retained the No. 1 slot for the past 20 years, has released its grip on pole position. Instead, it slips to the runner-up slot. Check out the Top 10 of 2015 below, specifically which festive track is the new queen bee.
After being relatively out of the spotlight for the past couple of years to take care of her husband, Celine Dion has been popping up everywhere as of late. She delivered an emotional performance in honor of Paris at the American Music Awards and recently paid homage to Frank Sinatra for Grammy's all-star tribute to Ol' Blue Eyes. To all this, I say welcome back Celine. You've been missed.
The 47-year-old Canadian chanteuse dazzled during Michael Buble's annual Christmas special. She gave a gorgeous rendition of "O Holy Night" and then joined Buble to give a rousing cover of John Lennon and Yoko Ono's "Happy Xmas (War is Over)." Her signature powerful vocals were on display for both numbers. Check them both out below.
Forget Donner, Blitzen and those other bitches. They have nothing on RuPaul's reindeers. Alyssa Edwards, Laganja Estranja, and Shangela guide the drag superstar's sleigh this Christmas.
In the latest promo for RuPaul's Drag Race: Green Screen Christmas, the three ladies make a cameo during Ru and Todrick Hall's duet "Deck The Halls." As with the previous clips, a campy jolly good time is had by all.
I definitely plan on recording the special, airing on LOGO, December 13. It'll be the perfect way to spend a lazy Sunday, wrapping gifts and other holiday tasks.
The gay gods have been really generous this holiday season with regards to Christmas albums. Kylie Minogue, RuPaul and her Drag Race alums are just a few who have dropped Yuletide offerings. LGBT ally Cyndi Lauper enters the game by covering an equally beloved gay icon- the one and only Dolly Parton.
The "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" singer covers Parton's "Hard Candy Christmas." Though it has a festive title, technically it's not a holiday song. Dolly recorded it for her 1982 film The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas co-starring Burt Reynolds.
Lauper's cover is off her forthcoming country album Detour, which is filled with her renditions of classic country tracks from the 1950s and 1960s. Before you comment, I'm also a bit puzzled how this 80s track got included. Whatever. I love Lauper and Parton, so I'm all over this.
Cyndi reveals to Rolling Stone the idea to cover this track came from a Nashville hotel where she was staying at. "What Would Dolly Do?" was written above the room's artwork. Check out her Parton homage below.


text:
Definition of get away in English:
get away
1Escape: Stevie was caught, but the rest of us got away he was very lucky to get away with his life
More example sentences
- He said the robbers got away in a car which had been stolen earlier and was later found burned out.
- He was challenged by a neighbour as he fled and there was a brief struggle, but the robber managed to get away.
- His accomplice that night got away scot free; after all, Lorraine was only 13 at the time.
escape, run away/off, break out, break free, break loose, bolt, flee, take flight, make off, take off, decamp, abscond, make a run for it;
slip away, sneak away
informal cut and run, skedaddle, do a disappearing act
Definition of get away in:
What do you find interesting about this word or phrase?
Comments that don't adhere to our Community Guidelines may be moderated or removed.
= trending