Multi-layer core golf ball

• US 10,016,659 B2
• Filed: 11/07/2016
• Issued: 07/10/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 01/10/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Acushnet Company (FILA Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Acushnet Company (FILA Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Sullivan, Michael J., Binette, Mark L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gorden, Raeann
• Application Number:
  US15/344,844
• Publication Number:
  US 20170050088A1
• Time in Patent Office: 610 Days
• Field of Search: 473373, 473374
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0023 Covers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0039 characterised by the material
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0043 Hardness
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0045 Thickness
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0047 Density; Specific gravity
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0054 Substantially rigid, e.g. metal
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/00621 Centre hardness
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/00622 Surface hardness
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0063 Hardness gradient
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0064 Diameter
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0066 Density; Specific gravity
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0067 Weight; Mass
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0076 Multi-piece balls, i.e. having two or more intermediate layers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0092 Hardness distribution amongst different ball layers

Abstract

Golf balls comprising a multi-layer core and a cover are disclosed. The multi-layer core comprises a center, an intermediate core layer, and an outer core layer. At least one layer of the multi-layer core is a high specific gravity layer.

Claims

1. A golf ball comprising a core and a cover, wherein the core has an overall diameter of from 1.40 inches to 1.62 inches and comprises:

a thermoset center having a diameter of from 0.10 inches to 1.50 inches, a center Shore C hardness (H_center) of 90 or less, an outer surface Shore C hardness (H_{center surface}) of 75 or greater, wherein H_{center surface}>

H_center, and a specific gravity of 1.15 g/cc or less;

a thermoplastic intermediate core layer having an outer surface Shore C hardness (H_intermediate) of 85 or less, and a specific gravity of 1.15 g/cc or less; and

a thermoset outer core layer having an outer surface Shore C hardness (H_{outer core}) of 80 or greater, and a specific gravity of 1.5 g/cc or greater;

wherein H_intermediate<

H_{center surface}, H_intermediate<

H_{outer core}, and H_{outer core}−

H_center≤

20.

2. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the thermoset outer core layer is formed from a composition comprising a heavy metal filler selected from the group consisting of titanium, tungsten, aluminum, bismuth, nickel, molybdenum, iron, lead, copper, boron, cobalt, beryllium, zinc, tin, and alloys thereof.

3. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the golf ball has a weight of greater than 1.620 ounces.

4. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the golf ball has a weight of 1.620 ounces or less.