Multi-layer golf ball

• US 7,887,437 B2
• Filed: 09/19/2008
• Issued: 02/15/2011
• 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: Morgan, William E., Sullivan, Michael J., Boehm, Herbert C., Ladd, Derek A.
• Primary Examiner(s): GORDEN, RAEANN
• Application Number:
  US12/233,776
• Publication Number:
  US 20090017939A1
• Time in Patent Office: 879 Days
• Field of Search: 473/376, 473/377, 473/374, 473/373
• US Class Current: 473/376
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0031 Hardness
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0043 Hardness
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/00621 Centre hardness
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/00622 Surface hardness
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0064 Diameter
• 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 37/0092 Hardness distribution amongst different ball layers

Abstract

Golf balls consisting of a dual core and a dual cover are disclosed. The dual core consists of an inner core layer formed from a rubber composition and an outer core layer formed from a highly neutralized polymer composition. The Shore C hardness of the outer core layer'"'"'s outer surface is greater than the material hardness of the inner cover layer, and is preferably 75 Shore C or greater.

Claims

1. A golf ball consisting of:

an inner core layer formed from a rubber composition and having a diameter of from 1.200 inches to 1.300 inches, a center hardness (H_center) of 50 Shore C or greater, and an outer surface hardness of 65 Shore C or greater;

an outer core layer formed from a highly neutralized polymer composition and having an outer surface hardness (H_{outer core}) of 75 Shore C or greater;

an inner cover layer formed from a thermoplastic composition and having a material hardness (H_{inner cover}) less than the outer surface hardness of the outer core layer; and

an outer cover layer formed from a composition selected from the group consisting of polyurethanes, polyureas, and copolymers and blends thereof.

2. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein H_{outer core}−

H_center≧

20 Shore C units.

3. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein H_{outer core}−

H_center≧

30 Shore C units.

4. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein H_center is from 55 Shore C to 70 Shore C.

5. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the outer surface hardness of the inner core layer is from 65 Shore C to 90 Shore C.

6. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the outer surface hardness of the inner core layer is from 70 Shore C to 85 Shore C.

7. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein H_{outer core} is 90 Shore C or greater.

8. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein H_{outer core} is greater than 80 Shore C, and wherein H_{inner cover} is from 80 Shore C to 95 Shore C.

9. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein H_{outer core} is 85 Shore C or greater, and wherein H_{inner cover} is from 84 Shore C to 92 Shore C.

10. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein H_center is from 60 Shore C to 70 Shore C, the outer surface hardness of the inner core layer is from 75 Shore C to 90 Shore C, and H_{outer core} is greater than 85 Shore C.

11. The golf ball of claim 10, wherein H_{inner cover} is from 80 Shore C to 95 Shore C.

12. The golf ball of claim 10, wherein H_{outer core} is greater than 87 Shore C, and wherein H_{inner cover} is from 87 Shore C to 91 Shore C.

13. The golf ball of claim 12, wherein H_{outer core} is 90 Shore C or greater.

14. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the inner core layer has a compression of 40 or less.

15. The golf ball of claim 14, wherein the core has an overall dual core compression of from 75 to 95.

16. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the core has an overall dual core diameter of from 1.520 inches to 1.590 inches.

17. A golf ball comprising:

a core consisting of;

an inner core layer formed from a rubber composition and having a diameter of from 1.200 inches to 1.300 inches, a center hardness (H_center) of from 50 Shore C to 70 Shore C, and an outer surface hardness of from 60 Shore C to 85 Shore C; and

an outer core layer formed from a highly neutralized polymer composition and having an outer surface hardness (H_{outer core}) of from 80 Shore C to 95 Shore C; and

a cover consisting of;

an inner cover layer formed from a thermoplastic composition and having a material hardness (H_{inner cover}) less than the outer surface hardness of the outer core layer; and

an outer cover layer formed from a composition selected from the group consisting of polyurethanes, polyureas, and copolymers and blends thereof.

18. The golf ball of claim 17, wherein H_{outer core}−

H_center≧

20 Shore C units.

19. The golf ball of claim 17, wherein H_{outer core}−

H_center≧

25 Shore C units.

20. The golf ball of claim 17, wherein H_{outer core} is 85 Shore C or greater, and wherein H_{inner cover} is from 84 Shore C to 92 Shore C.