Golf ball having multi-layer cover with unique outer cover characteristics

• US 6,503,156 B1
• Filed: 06/04/2001
• Issued: 01/07/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
• Original Assignee: Spalding Sports Worldwide, Inc. (Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated)
• Inventors: Sullivan, Michael J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wong, Steven
• Assistant Examiner(s): Gorden, Raeann
• Application Number:
  US09/873,642
• Time in Patent Office: 582 Days
• Field of Search: 473/378, 473/377, 473/376, 473/372, 473/371, 473/370, 473/373, 473/374
• US Class Current: 473/374
• 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 37/0049 Flexural modulus; Bending stiffness
• 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: C08L 2205/02 containing two or more polymers of the same C08L -group
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 23/08 Copolymers of ethene C08L23/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 23/0876 Neutralised polymers, i.e. ionomers
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 2666/02 Organic macromolecular compounds, natural resins, waxes or and bituminous materials
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 2666/04 Macromolecular compounds according to groups C08L7/00 - C08L49/00, or C08L55/00 - C08L57/00; Derivatives thereof
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 2666/18 Polyesters or polycarbonates according to C08L67/00 - C08L69/00; Derivatives thereof
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 53/00 Compositions of block copolymers containing at least one sequence of a polymer obtained by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds; Compositions of derivatives of such polymers
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 69/00 Compositions of polycarbonates; Compositions of derivatives of polycarbonates
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 75/04 Polyurethanes

Abstract

The present invention is directed to an improved multi-layer golf ball comprising a core, an inner cover layer and an outer cover layer. The inner cover layer is comprised of a low acid ionomer blend which may or may not include a filler such as zinc-stearate. The outer cover layer is comprised of a soft, non-ionomeric thermoplastic or thermosetting elastomer such as polyurethane, polyester or polyesteramide. The resulting multi-layered golf ball of the present invention provides for enhanced distance without sacrificing playability or durability when compared to known multi-layer golf balls.

Claims

1. A golf ball comprising:

a core;

an inner cover layer disposed on said core, said inner cover layer having a Shore D hardness of at least 60, said inner cover layer comprising a blend of two or more low acid ionomer resins, each containing no more than 16% by weight of an alpha, beta-unsaturated carboxylic acid; and

an outer cover layer disposed on said inner cover layer, said outer cover layer having a Shore D hardness of about 64 or less, a thickness of from about 0.01 to about 0.07 inches, and comprising a polyurethane material.

2. The golf ball of claim 1 wherein said outer cover layer has a thickness of from about 0.01 to about 0.05 inches.

3. The golf ball of claim 1 wherein said outer cover layer has a thickness of from about 0.03 to about 0.06 inches.

4. A golf ball comprising:

a core;

an inner cover layer disposed about said core, said inner cover layer having a Shore D hardness of at least 60, said inner cover layer comprising a blend of two or more ionomeric resins, each containing no more than 16% by weight of an alpha, beta-unsaturated carboxylic acid; and

an outer cover layer disposed on said inner cover layer, said outer cover layer having a thickness of from about 0.01 to about 0.07 inches, and comprising a polyurethane material.

5. The golf ball of claim 4 wherein said outer cover exhibits a Shore D hardness of about 64 or less.

6. The golf ball of claim 4 wherein said outer cover layer has a thickness of from about 0.01 to about 0.05 inches.

7. The golf ball of claim 4 wherein said outer cover layer has a thickness of from about 0.03 to about 0.06 inches.

8. A golf ball comprising:

a core;

an inner cover layer disposed on said core, said inner cover layer having a Shore D hardness of about 60 or more, said inner cover layer comprising an ionomeric resin including no more than 16% by weight of an alpha, beta-unsaturated carboxylic acid and having a modulus of from about 15,000 to about 70,000 psi; and

an outer cover layer disposed about said inner cover layer, said outer cover layer having a thickness of from about 0.01 to about 0.07 inches, and comprising a polyurethane material.

9. The golf ball of claim 8 wherein said outer cover exhibits a Shore D hardness of about 64 or less.

10. The golf ball of claim 8 wherein said outer cover layer has a thickness of from about 0.01 to about 0.05 inches.

11. The golf ball of claim 8 wherein said outer cover layer has a thickness of from about 0.03 to about 0.06 inches.