Method and apparatus for enhancing surface strike performance

Abstract

An apparatus is disclosed having a face which includes a striking surface. The striking surface has a combination of properties configured to enhance performance characteristics, such as a launch angle, carry distance, and spin rate of an associated ball. The combination of properties of the striking surface at least includes an adequate hardness, smoothness, and durability. A method of enhancing surface strike performance is also disclosed. The method includes providing an associated item of sports equipment with a face including a ball striking surface having a combination of properties such as an adequate hardness, smoothness, and durability.

1 . An apparatus for enhancing surface strike performance, comprising:
 a face including a striking surface, wherein the striking surface has a combination of properties configured to improve performance characteristics of an associated ball;   wherein the combination of properties of the striking surface includes a hardness of at least Shore D 65, a surface roughness of Ra 1 μm or less, and a resistance to indentation at 1,500 psi or greater for a duration of about 30 minutes measured according to Mil-D-3134F.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the performance characteristics include at least one of an increased launch angle, an increased carry distance, and a decreased spin rate of the associated ball. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the combination of properties of the striking surface further includes a wear resistance minimum of zero weight loss at a load of 1 kg per 1000 cycles measured according to ASTM-C-501. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the combination of properties of the striking surface further includes a flexural strength of greater than about 3,000 psi measured according to ASTM C-580. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the combination of properties of the striking surface further includes a tensile strength of greater than about 3,000 psi measured according to ASTM C-307. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the combination of properties of the striking surface further includes a compressive strength of greater than about 5,000 psi measured according to ASTM C-579. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the striking surface comprises a coating applied to at least a portion of the face. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the coating is a polyurethane. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the coating has a thickness of about 100 μm to about 200 μm. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the striking surface and the face are integral. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the striking surface is configured to have one or more ridges and/or grooves. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the striking surface is configured to be substantially smooth. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the striking surface comprises an insert attached to the face. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the insert further comprises a substrate and a coating applied to at least a portion of the substrate. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the coating is a polyurethane. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the striking surface is configured to have one or more ridges and/or grooves. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the striking surface is configured to be substantially smooth. 
     
     
         18 . A method of enhancing surface strike performance, comprising:
 providing a face of an associated item of sports equipment with a striking surface having a combination of properties configured to improve performance characteristics of an associated ball;   wherein the combination of properties of the striking surface includes a hardness of at least Shore D 65, a surface roughness of Ra 1 μm or less, and a resistance to indentation at 1,500 psi or greater for a duration of about 30 minutes measured according to Mil-D-3134F; and   wherein the performance characteristics include at least one of an increased launch angle, an increased carry distance, and a decreased spin rate.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising applying a coating of polyurethane to the face to form the striking surface having the combination of properties. 
     
     
         20 . An apparatus for enhancing surface strike performance, comprising:
 a face including a striking surface, wherein the striking surface is formed from a coating applied to at least a portion of the face, and the coating has a combination of properties configured to improve performance characteristics of an associated ball, the combination of properties including a hardness of at least Shore D 65, a surface roughness of Ra 1 μm or less, and a resistance to indentation at 1,500 psi or greater for a duration of about 30 minutes measured according to Mil-D-3134F;   wherein the coating is an oil modified polyurethane having a thickness of about 100 μm to about 200 μm; and   wherein the performance characteristics include at least one of an increased launch angle, an increased carry distance, and a decreased spin rate.