Multi-layer golf ball

• US 5,971,871 A
• Filed: 01/23/1998
• Issued: 10/26/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 11/27/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Callaway Golf Company (Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Spalding Sports Worldwide, Inc. (Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated)
• Inventors: Sullivan, Michael J., Nealon, John, Nesbitt, R. Dennis, Binette, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): Marlo, George J.
• Application Number:
  US09/012,788
• Time in Patent Office: 641 Days
• Field of Search: 473/373, 473/374, 473/378
• US Class Current: 473/373
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0003 Golf balls
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0019 Specified dimple depth
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0021 Occupation ratio, i.e. percentage surface occupied by dimples
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0031 Hardness
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0033 Thickness
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0064 Diameter
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0065 Deflection or compression
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0075 Three piece balls, i.e. cover, intermediate layer and core
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/008 Diameter
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/02 Special cores balls with finger holes A63B37/0001, golf ball cores A63B37/005
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/12 Special coverings , i.e. outer layer material balls with finger holes A63B37/0001, golf ball covers A63B37/0023

Abstract

A multi-layer golf bal including

(a) a spherical core formed of a soft compression material

(b) a mantle layer surrounding the core;

(c) a dimpled outer cover layer surrounding the mantle layer and having a different Shore D hardness than the mantle layer; and

(d) at least one of the mantle and cover layers including a filler material having a weight greater than the core material to enhance the perimeter weight of the ball, the ball having an outer diameter of between 1.70 and 1.76 inches (43.2-44.7 mm) and a weight no greater than 1.62 ounces (45.93 g).

Claims

1. A multi-layer golf ball, comprising

(a) a spherical core formed of a soft compression material;

(b) a mantle layer surrounding said core;

(c) a dimpled outer cover layer surrounding said mantle layer and having a different Shore D hardness than said mantle layer; and

(d) at least one of said mantle and cover layers including a filler material having a weight greater than said core material to enhance the perimeter weight of the ball, the ball having an outer diameter of between 1.70 and 1.76 inches (43.2-44.7 mm) and a weight no greater than 1.62 ounces (45.93 g).

2. A multi-layer golf ball as defined in claim 1, wherein said filler material is a powdered metal selected from the group consisting of powdered brass, tungsten, titanium, bismuth, boron, bronze, cobalt, copper, inconnel metal, iron, molybdenum, nickel, stainless steel, zirconium oxide, and aluminum.

3. A multi-layer golf ball as defined in claim 2, wherein said mantle layer is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of an ionomer resin, a polyamide, a polyurethane, a polyphylene oxide, and a polycarbonate.

4. A multi-layer golf ball as defined in claim 3, wherein said outer cover layer is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of an ionomer resin, a thermoplastic elastomer, a thermosetting elastomer, a polyurethane, a polyester and a polyester amide.

5. A multi-layer golf ball as defined in claim 4, wherein said filler material is arranged in said mantle layer.

6. A multi-layer golf ball as defined in claim 4, wherein said filler material is arranged in said cover layer.

7. A multi-layer golf ball as defined in claim 5, wherein said mantle layer has a Shore D hardness of at least 65 and said outer cover layer has a Shore D hardness of less than 65.

8. A multi-layer golf ball as defined in claim 7, wherein the dimples in said outer cover layer are arranged in a pattern covering at least 70% of the surface of the ball.

9. A multi-layer golf ball as defined in claim 2 wherein said mantle layer has a thickness of 0.020-0.250 inches (0.508-6.35 mm) and said outer layer has a thickness of 0.020-0.250 inches (0.508-6.35 mm).

10. A multi-layer golf ball as defined in claim 9, wherein said core has a diameter of generally 1.50 inches.

11. A multi-layer golf ball as defined in claim 10, wherein the ball has an outer diameter of 1.71 inches (43.40 mm).