Multi-layer core golf ball

• US 10,226,670 B2
• Filed: 03/28/2016
• Issued: 03/12/2019
• 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., Ladd, Derek A., Comeau, Brian, Goguen, Douglas S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gorden, Raeann
• Application Number:
  US15/082,677
• Publication Number:
  US 20160206927A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,079 Days
• Field of Search: 473376
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0003 Golf balls
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0031 Hardness
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0033 Thickness
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0035 Density; Specific gravity
• 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 37/00621 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 37/0076 Multi-piece balls, i.e. having two or more intermediate layers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0092 Hardness distribution amongst different ball layers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0097 Layers interlocking by means of protrusions or inserts, lattices or the like

Abstract

Golf balls comprising a multi-layer core and a cover are disclosed. The multi-layer core comprises at least three layers, including at least one thermoset layer and at least one thermoplastic layer. At least one core layer has a plurality of projections disposed thereon.

Claims

1. A golf ball comprising:

an inner core layer formed from a first thermoset composition and having a diameter of from 0.50 inches to 1.30 inches;

an intermediate core layer formed from a thermoplastic composition and comprising a plurality of projections disposed on the outer surface thereof;

an outer core layer formed from a second thermoset composition; and

a cover;

wherein the outer surface hardness of the intermediate core layer is greater than the outer surface hardness of the outer core layer; and

wherein the inner core layer has a center hardness of 80 Shore C or less and an outer surface hardness of 30 Shore C or greater;

the outer core layer has an outer surface hardness of 25 Shore C or greater;

the outer surface hardness of the inner core layer is greater than the center hardness; and

the difference between the outer surface Shore C hardness of the outer core layer and the center Shore C hardness is from 0 to 40.

2. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the inner core layer has a center hardness of 80 Shore C or less and an outer surface hardness of 70 Shore C or greater;

the outer core layer has an outer surface hardness of 60 Shore C or greater;

the outer surface hardness of the inner core layer is greater than the center hardness; and

the difference between the outer surface Shore C hardness of the outer core layer and the center Shore C hardness is from 0 to 20.

3. A golf ball comprising:

an inner core layer formed from a first thermoset composition and having a diameter of from 0.50 inches to 1.30 inches;

an intermediate core layer formed from a thermoplastic composition and comprising a plurality of projections disposed on the outer surface thereof;

an outer core layer formed from a second thermoset composition; and

a cover;

wherein the outer surface hardness of the intermediate core layer is greater than the outer surface hardness of the outer core layer; and

wherein the inner core layer has a center hardness of 90 Shore C or less and an outer surface hardness of 75 Shore C or greater;

the outer core layer has an outer surface hardness of 80 Shore C or greater;

the outer surface hardness of the inner core layer is greater than the center hardness; and

the difference between the outer surface Shore C hardness of the outer core layer and the center Shore C hardness is ≤

20.

4. A golf ball comprising:

an inner core layer formed from a first thermoset composition and having a diameter of from 0.50 inches to 1.30 inches and comprising plurality of projections disposed on the outer surface thereof;

an intermediate core layer formed from a thermoplastic composition and having a thickness of from 0.01 inches to 0.20 inches;

an outer core layer formed from a second thermoset composition and having a thickness of from 0.10 inches to 0.25 inches; and

a cover;

wherein the outer surface hardness of the intermediate core layer is greater than the outer surface hardness of the outer core layer; and

wherein the inner core layer has a center hardness of 80 Shore C or less and an outer surface hardness of 30 Shore C or greater;

the intermediate core layer has an outer surface hardness of 40 Shore C or greater;

the outer core layer has an outer surface hardness of 25 Shore C or greater;

the outer surface hardness of the inner core layer is greater than the center hardness; and

the difference between the outer surface Shore C hardness of the outer core layer and the center Shore C hardness is from 0 to 40.

5. The golf ball of claim 4, wherein the inner core layer has a center hardness of 80 Shore C or less and an outer surface hardness of 70 Shore C or greater;

the intermediate core layer has an outer surface hardness of 75 Shore C or greater;

the outer core layer has an outer surface hardness of 60 Shore C or greater;

the outer surface hardness of the inner core layer is greater than the center hardness; and

the difference between the outer surface Shore C hardness of the outer core layer and the center Shore C hardness is from 0 to 20.

6. A golf ball comprising:

an inner core layer formed from a first thermoset composition and having a diameter of from 0.50 inches to 1.30 inches and comprising plurality of projections disposed on the outer surface thereof;

an intermediate core layer formed from a thermoplastic composition and having a thickness of from 0.01 inches to 0.20 inches;

an outer core layer formed from a second thermoset composition and having a thickness of from 0.10 inches to 0.25 inches; and

a cover;

wherein the outer surface hardness of the intermediate core layer is greater than the outer surface hardness of the outer core layer; and

wherein the inner core layer has a center hardness of 90 Shore C or less and an outer surface hardness of 75 Shore C or greater;

the intermediate core layer has an outer surface hardness of 85 Shore C or less;

the outer core layer has an outer surface hardness of 80 Shore C or greater;

the outer surface hardness of the inner core layer is greater than the center hardness; and

the difference between the outer surface Shore C hardness of the outer core layer and the center Shore C hardness is ≤

20.