Golf balls having dual-layered cores with metal-containing centers and dual-layered covers
First Claim
1. A golf ball having a multi-layered core, comprising:
- i) an inner core comprising a metal material, the inner core having a diameter in the range of about 0.100 to about 1.100 inches, and a specific gravity (SGinner core), and an outer surface hardness (Hcenter surface) and a center hardness (Hcenter material), the Hcenter surface being greater than the Hcenter material to provide a positive hardness gradient;
ii) an outer core layer comprising a thermoset material, the outer core layer being disposed about the inner core and having a thickness in the range of about 0.200 to about 1.200 inches, a specific gravity (SGouter core), and an outer surface hardness ((Houter surface of OC) and a midpoint hardness (Hmidpoint of OC), the Houter surface of OC being greater than the Hmidpoint of OC to provide a positive hardness gradient; and
iii) an inner cover disposed about the multi-layered core, the inner cover comprising a thermoplastic material and metal material and having a specific gravity (SGinner cover) in the range of about 4.00 to about 14.00, the SGinner core and SGinner cover being substantially equal; and
iv) an outer cover disposed about the inner cover.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Multi-piece golf balls containing a dual-layered core and dual-layered cover are provided. The core structure includes a small, heavy inner core (center) having a relatively high specific gravity, and a surrounding outer core layer. The core layers may have different hardness gradients. The center of the core comprises a metal material such as copper, steel, brass, tungsten, titanium, aluminum, and combinations and alloys thereof preferably dispersed in a thermoplastic polymeric matrix. The outer core layer is preferably formed from a thermoset composition such as polybutadiene. The multi-layered cores and covers have selective specific gravity relationships between the different layers. This helps provide the ball with good flight distance and spin control. The resulting balls have good resiliency and other playing performance properties.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A golf ball having a multi-layered core, comprising:
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i) an inner core comprising a metal material, the inner core having a diameter in the range of about 0.100 to about 1.100 inches, and a specific gravity (SGinner core), and an outer surface hardness (Hcenter surface) and a center hardness (Hcenter material), the Hcenter surface being greater than the Hcenter material to provide a positive hardness gradient; ii) an outer core layer comprising a thermoset material, the outer core layer being disposed about the inner core and having a thickness in the range of about 0.200 to about 1.200 inches, a specific gravity (SGouter core), and an outer surface hardness ((Houter surface of OC) and a midpoint hardness (Hmidpoint of OC), the Houter surface of OC being greater than the Hmidpoint of OC to provide a positive hardness gradient; and iii) an inner cover disposed about the multi-layered core, the inner cover comprising a thermoplastic material and metal material and having a specific gravity (SGinner cover) in the range of about 4.00 to about 14.00, the SGinner core and SGinner cover being substantially equal; and iv) an outer cover disposed about the inner cover. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12)
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9. A golf ball having a multi-layered core, comprising:
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i) an inner core comprising a metal material, the inner core having a diameter in the range of about 0.100 to about 1.100 inches, and a specific gravity (SGinner core), and an outer surface hardness (Hcenter surface) and a center hardness (Hcenter material), the Hcenter surface being greater than the Hcenter material to provide a positive hardness gradient; ii) an outer core layer comprising a thermoset material, the outer core layer being disposed about the inner core and having a thickness in the range of about 0.200 to about 1.200 inches, a specific gravity (SGouter core), and an outer surface hardness ((Houter surface of OC) and a midpoint hardness (Hmidpoint of OC), the Houter surface of OC being greater than the Hmidpoint of OC to provide a positive hardness gradient; and iii) an inner cover disposed about the multi-layered core; and iv) an outer cover disposed about the inner cover, the outer cover comprising a thermoplastic material and metal material and having a specific gravity (SGouter cover) in the range of about 4.00 to about 10.00, the SGouter core and SGouter cover being substantially equal.
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Specification