GOLF BALLS HAVING FOAM INNER CORE AND THERMOSET OUTER CORE LAYER
First Claim
1. A golf ball, comprising:
- i) an inner core layer comprising a foamed composition, the inner core layer having a diameter in the range of about 0.100 to about 1.100 inches, a specific gravity (SGinner), and an outer surface hardness (Hinner core surface) and a center hardness (Hinner core center), wherein the Hinner core center is in the range of about 30 Shore C to about 78 Shore C and the Hinner core surface is in the range of about 46 Shore C to about 95 Shore C, the Hinner core surface being greater than the Hinner core center 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 layer and having a thickness in the range of about 0.100 to about 0.750 inches, a specific gravity (SGouter), and an outer surface hardness (Houter surface of OC) and an inner surface hardness (Hinner surface of OC), the Houter surface of OC being greater than the Hinner surface of OC to provide a positive hardness gradient, wherein the SGouter, is greater than the SGinner, andiii) a cover having at least one layer, the cover being disposed about the outer core layer.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Multi-piece golf balls containing a dual-core structure are provided. The core structure includes an inner core (center) comprising a foam composition, preferably foamed polyurethane. The outer core layer is preferably formed from a non-foamed thermoset composition such as polybutadiene rubber. The inner and outer core layers can have different hardness gradients. Preferably, the specific gravity (density) of the foam inner core is less than the density of the outer core layer. The ball further includes a cover of at least one layer and may include at least one casing layer. The core structure and resulting ball have relatively good resiliency.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A golf ball, comprising:
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i) an inner core layer comprising a foamed composition, the inner core layer having a diameter in the range of about 0.100 to about 1.100 inches, a specific gravity (SGinner), and an outer surface hardness (Hinner core surface) and a center hardness (Hinner core center), wherein the Hinner core center is in the range of about 30 Shore C to about 78 Shore C and the Hinner core surface is in the range of about 46 Shore C to about 95 Shore C, the Hinner core surface being greater than the Hinner core center 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 layer and having a thickness in the range of about 0.100 to about 0.750 inches, a specific gravity (SGouter), and an outer surface hardness (Houter surface of OC) and an inner surface hardness (Hinner surface of OC), the Houter surface of OC being greater than the Hinner surface of OC to provide a positive hardness gradient, wherein the SGouter, is greater than the SGinner, and iii) a cover having at least one layer, the cover being disposed about the outer core layer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A golf ball, comprising:
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i) an inner core layer comprising a foamed composition, the inner core layer having a diameter in the range of about 0.100 to about 1.100 inches, a specific gravity (SGinner), and an outer surface hardness (Hinner core surface) and a center hardness (Hinner core center), wherein the Hinner core center is in the range of about 30 Shore C to about 78 Shore C and the Hinner core surface is in the range of about 46 Shore C to about 95 Shore C, the Hinner core surface being greater than the Hinner core center 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 0.100 to about 0.750 inches, a specific gravity (SGouter), and an outer surface hardness (Houter surface of OC) and an inner surface hardness (Rinner surface of OC), the Houter surface of OC being the same or less than the Hinner surface of OC to provide a zero or negative hardness gradient, wherein the SGouter, is greater than the SGinner; and iii) a cover having at least one layer, the cover being disposed about the outer core layer. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification