Golf ball with multi-layer cover

• US 6,562,909 B2
• Filed: 06/18/2001
• Issued: 05/13/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/27/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Acushnet Company (FILA Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Acushnet Company (FILA Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Morgan, William E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Buttner, David J.
• Application Number:
  US09/883,423
• Publication Number:
  US 20020013184A1
• Time in Patent Office: 694 Days
• Field of Search: 473/365, 473/373, 473/374, 525/236, 525/237
• US Class Current: 525/237
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2037/087 Wound cores or layers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0003 Golf balls
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0006 Arrangement or layout of dimples
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0024 Materials other than ionomers or polyurethane
• 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 37/0039 characterised by the material
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0043 Hardness
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0045 Thickness
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0053 Thread wound
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0076 Multi-piece balls, i.e. having two or more intermediate layers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/12 Special coverings , i.e. outer layer material balls with finger holes A63B37/0001, golf ball covers A63B37/0023
• CPC Class Codes: C08G 18/10 Prepolymer processes involving reaction of isocyanates or isothiocyanates with compounds having active hydrogen in a first reaction step
• CPC Class Codes: C08G 18/3225 Polyamines
• CPC Class Codes: C09D 175/04 Polyurethanes

Abstract

The invention relates to a golf ball having a core and two or more cover layers. The outer cover layer includes a thin castable material and the inner cover layer a polyisoprene based material.

Claims

1. A golf ball comprising:

a core;

a cover disposed about the core, comprising;

a solid inner cover layer formed from a material comprising polyisoprene; and

an outer cover layer having a thickness of less than about 0.05 inches and comprising at least one castable reactive liquid material or a reaction product thereof or a polyurethane.

2. The golf ball of claim 1, further comprising a wound layer comprising at least one tensioned thread material disposed between the core and the cover, each thread having at least one strand.

3. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the polyisoprene comprises a cis-polyisoprene or trans-polyisoprene material, a blend of two different types of polyisoprene, or a blend of polyisoprene with at least one additional polymer, or mixtures thereof.

4. The golf ball of claim 3, wherein the at least one additional polymer comprises styrene-butadiene rubber.

5. The golf ball of claim 4, wherein the inner cover layer further comprises at least one density-modifying filler.

6. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the inner cover layer is comprised of vulcanized trans-polyisoprene.

7. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the inner cover layer has an outer surface that is treated by one or more of halogenation, chemical surface treatment, UV radiation, electron beam exposure, microwave radiation, coating, plasma, or corona discharge.

8. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the outer cover layer comprises at least one polyurethane.

9. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the outer diameter of the inner cover layer is at least about 1.6 inches and the outer cover layer has a thickness of less than about 0.35 inches.

10. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the inner cover layer has a hardness of about 45 to 64 Shore D when measured on the surface of the inner cover layer.

11. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the outer cover layer has a hardness of about 45 to about 60 Shore D when measured on the ball.

12. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the inner cover thickness is between about 0.02 and 0.05 inches.

13. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the inner cover layer further comprises less than about 50% styrene-butadiene rubber.

14. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the inner cover layer has a flexual modulus of at least about 50,000 psi.

15. A golf ball comprising:

a core;

a cover disposed about the core, comprising;

an inner cover layer formed from a material comprising polyisoprene and at least styrene-butadiene rubber or styrene reinforced resin; and

an outer cover layer comprising at least one castable reactive liquid material or a reaction product thereof, or a polyurethane.

16. The golf ball of claim 15, wherein the inner cover layer is vulcanized.

17. The golf ball of claim 15, wherein the outer diameter of the inner cover layer is at least about 1.6 inches and the outer cover layer has a thickness of less than about 0.35 inches.

18. The golf ball of claim 15, wherein the inner cover layer has a hardness of about 45 to 64 Shore D when measured on the surface of the inner cover layer.