Multi-layer core golf ball

• US 10,449,420 B2
• Filed: 03/29/2012
• Issued: 10/22/2019
• 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.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gorden, Raeann
• Application Number:
  US13/433,321
• Publication Number:
  US 20120184396A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,763 Days
• Field of Search: 473373
• 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 37/0045 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 37/0064 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

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. The innermost core layer is relatively small, having a diameter of from 0.50 inches to 1.30 inches.

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 0.75 inches and a specific gravity of from 0.90 g/cc to 1.18 g/cc;

an intermediate core layer formed from a first thermoplastic composition and having a thickness of from 0.01 inches to 0.06 inches, a surface hardness of greater than 60 Shore D, and a specific gravity of from 0.90 g/cc to 1.00 g/cc, wherein the first thermoplastic composition is a partially- or fully-neutralized ionomer composition;

an outer core layer formed from a second thermoset composition and having a thickness of from 0.10 inches to 0.25 inches, a surface hardness of from 20 Shore C to 80 Shore C, wherein the surface hardness of the outer core layer is greater than the surface hardness of the inner core layer; and

a cover.

2. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the golf ball consists essentially of the inner core layer, the intermediate core layer, the outer core layer, and the cover, and wherein the cover is a single layer formed from a third thermoset composition.