Multi-layer core golf ball

• US 7,874,939 B2
• Filed: 12/18/2009
• Issued: 01/25/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/28/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Acushnet Company (FILA Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Acushnet Company (FILA Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: DeSimas, Antonio U., Sullivan, Michael J., Ladd, Derek A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Trimiew; Raeann
• Application Number:
  US12/642,616
• Publication Number:
  US 20100099516A1
• Time in Patent Office: 403 Days
• Field of Search: 473/373, 473/374, 473/376
• US Class Current: 473/376
• 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 37/0043 Hardness
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0045 Thickness
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0046 Deflection or compression
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0047 Density; Specific gravity
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/005 Cores
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0061 Coefficient of restitution
• 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 37/0066 Density; Specific gravity
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0076 Multi-piece balls, i.e. having two or more intermediate layers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0091 Density distribution amongst the different ball layers

Abstract

The present invention is directed to an improved golf ball displaying the desired spin profile and having a generally rigid, thermoset polybutadiene outer core surrounding a relatively soft, low compression inner core. In general, this golf ball has an inner core and at least one outer core layer surrounding the inner core.

Claims

1. A golf ball comprising:

an inner core having a diameter of from 1.0 inch to 1.5 inches and a compression of less than 50;

a first outer core layer;

a second outer core layer having a hardness of about 80 Shore C or greater and a thickness of from about 0.01 inches to about 0.10 inches;

a cover layer formed from a composition selected from polyurethanes, polyureas, and blends and copolymers thereof; and

a moisture barrier layer disposed between the second outer core layer and the cover layer, the moisture barrier layer having a moisture vapor transmission rate less than the moisture vapor transmission rate of the cover layer;

wherein the inner core has a hardness less than the hardness of each of the first and second outer core layers.

2. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the second outer core layer has a flex modulus of greater than about 30,000 psi.

3. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the thickness of the first outer core layer is from 0.05 inches to 0.10 inches, and the thickness of the second core layer is from 0.05 inches to 0.10 inches.

4. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the inner core has a specific gravity of 1.1 or greater.