Low deformation golf ball

• US 7,118,495 B2
• Filed: 03/30/2005
• Issued: 10/10/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Acushnet Company (FILA Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Acushnet Company (FILA Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Sullivan, Michael J., Jordan, Michael D., Ladd, Derek A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gorden, Raeann
• Application Number:
  US11/094,033
• Publication Number:
  US 20050170911A1
• Time in Patent Office: 559 Days
• Field of Search: 473/376, 473/378, 473/373, 473/374, 473/368, 473/377, 473/370
• 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 37/0041 Coefficient of restitution
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0045 Thickness
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0047 Density; Specific gravity
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0049 Flexural modulus; Bending stiffness
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0062 Hardness
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0064 Diameter
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0065 Deflection or compression
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0076 Multi-piece balls, i.e. having two or more intermediate layers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0078 Coefficient of restitution
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/06 Elastic cores
• CPC Class Codes: C08K 5/37 Thiols
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 21/00 Compositions of unspecified rubbers

Abstract

A golf ball comprising an innermost core, an outer core, and a cover is disclosed. At least a layer of the golf ball is made from a low compression, high coefficient of restitution material, and is being supported by a low deformation, high compression layer. The resulting golf ball has high coefficient of restitution at high and low impact speeds and low compression for controlled greenside play.

Claims

1. A golf ball comprising:

a single, solid layer innermost core having a Shore C hardness of greater than 70 and a flexural modulus of from 80,000 psi to 200,000 psi;

a cover; and

a intermediate layer disposed between the innermost core and the cover, wherein the intermediate layer comprises a rubber composition containing a halogenated organosulfur compound and has a thickness of from 0.001 inches to 0.100 inches, a Shore C hardness of from 25 to 70, and a flexural modulus of from 500 psi to 25,000 psi;

and wherein the core and the intermediate layer have a diameter of greater than 1.50 inches and a compression of greater than about 80.

2. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the core and the intermediate layer have a compression of greater than about 90.

3. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the golf ball has a coefficient of restitution of at least about 0.81 at about 125 feet per second.

4. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the golf ball has a coefficient of restitution of at least about 0.76 at about 160 feet per second.

5. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the core has a compression of greater than about 70.

6. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the core has a compression of greater than about 80.

7. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the thickness of the intermediate layer is from about 0.010 inches to about 0.050 inches.

8. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the thickness of the intermediate layer is from about 0.015 inches to about 0.035 inches.

9. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the innermost core comprises a fiber- or filler-reinforced polymer.