Multi-layer core golf ball

• US 7,976,411 B2
• Filed: 05/10/2010
• Issued: 07/12/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/10/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Acushnet Company (FILA Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Acushnet Company (FILA Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Sullivan, Michael J., Goguen, Douglas S., Ladd, Derek A., Comeau, Brian
• Primary Examiner(s): Trimiew; Raeann
• Application Number:
  US12/776,734
• Publication Number:
  US 20100222158A1
• Time in Patent Office: 428 Days
• Field of Search: 473/376, 473/373, 473/374
• 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 37/0047 Density; Specific gravity
• 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 37/12 Special coverings , i.e. outer layer material balls with finger holes A63B37/0001, golf ball covers A63B37/0023

Abstract

Golf balls consisting of a multi-layer core and a cover are disclosed. The multi-layer core comprises a thermoset rubber center, a thermoplastic intermediate core layer, and a thermoset rubber outer core layer.

Claims

1. A golf ball comprising:

a center formed from a first thermoset rubber composition and having a diameter of from 1.250 inches to 1.580 inches, a center hardness of from 40 Shore C to 90 Shore C, and a surface hardness of from 50 Shore C to 95 Shore C;

an intermediate core layer formed from a thermoplastic composition and having a thickness of 0.005 inches to 0.100 inches and a surface hardness of greater than 60 Shore D;

an outer core layer formed from a second thermoset rubber composition and having a thickness of 0.010 inches to 0.100 inches and a surface hardness of 50 Shore C or greater; and

a cover layer having a thickness of from 0.010 inches to 0.050 inches and a surface hardness of 60 Shore D or less;

wherein the specific gravity of at least one of the center, intermediate core layer, and outer core layer is less than 1.05 g/cc.

2. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the center has a specific gravity of greater than 1.25 g/cc.

3. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the center has a specific gravity of 1.30 g/cc or greater.

4. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the intermediate core layer has a specific gravity of 1.00 g/cc or less.

5. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the intermediate core layer has a specific gravity of 0.95 g/cc or less.

6. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the outer core layer has a specific gravity of 0.95 g/cc or less.

7. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the outer core layer has a specific gravity of 0.90 g/cc or less.

8. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the center has a specific gravity of greater than 1.25 g/cc, the intermediate core layer has a specific gravity of 1.00 g/cc or less, and the outer core layer has a specific gravity of 0.95 g/cc or less.

9. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the center has a specific gravity of 1.30 g/cc or greater, the intermediate core layer has a specific gravity of 0.95 g/cc or less, and the outer core layer has a specific gravity of 0.90 g/cc or less.

10. A golf ball comprising:

a center formed from a first thermoset rubber composition and having a diameter of from 1.250 inches to 1.580 inches, a center hardness of from 40 Shore C to 90 Shore C, and a surface hardness of from 50 Shore C to 95 Shore C;

an intermediate core layer formed from a thermoplastic composition and having a thickness of 0.005 inches to 0.100 inches and a surface hardness of greater than 60 Shore D;

an outer core layer formed from a second thermoset rubber composition and having a thickness of 0.010 inches to 0.100 inches and a surface hardness of 50 Shore C or greater; and

a cover layer having a thickness of from 0.010 inches to 0.050 inches and a surface hardness of 60 Shore D or less;

wherein the specific gravity of at least one of the center, intermediate core layer, and outer core layer is greater than 1.25 g/cc.

11. The golf ball of claim 10, wherein the center has a specific gravity of greater than 1.25 g/cc.

12. The golf ball of claim 10, wherein the center has a specific gravity of 1.30 g/cc or greater.

13. The golf ball of claim 11, wherein the intermediate core layer has a specific gravity of 1.00 g/cc or less.

14. The golf ball of claim 11, wherein the intermediate core layer has a specific gravity of 0.95 g/cc or less.

15. The golf ball of claim 11, wherein the outer core layer has a specific gravity of 0.95 g/cc or less.

16. The golf ball of claim 11, wherein the outer core layer has a specific gravity of 0.90 g/cc or less.

17. A golf ball consisting essentially of:

a center formed from a first diene rubber composition and having a diameter of from 1.350 inches to 1.490 inches, a center hardness of from 40 Shore C to 90 Shore C, and a surface hardness of from 70 Shore C to 95 Shore C;

an intermediate core layer formed from a thermoplastic composition and having a thickness of 0.005 inches to 0.100 inches and a surface hardness of greater than 60 Shore D;

an outer core layer formed from a second diene rubber composition and having a thickness of 0.010 inches to 0.100 inches and a surface hardness of 75 Shore C or greater; and

a cover layer having a thickness of from 0.010 inches to 0.050 inches and a surface hardness of 60 Shore D or less;

wherein the specific gravity of at least one of the center, intermediate core layer, and outer core layer is less than 1.05 g/cc.

18. A golf ball consisting essentially of:

a center formed from a first diene rubber composition and having a diameter of from 1.350 inches to 1.490 inches, a center hardness of from 40 Shore C to 90 Shore C, and a surface hardness of from 70 Shore C to 95 Shore C;

an intermediate core layer formed from a thermoplastic composition and having a thickness of 0.005 inches to 0.100 inches and a surface hardness of greater than 60 Shore D;

an outer core layer formed from a second diene rubber composition and having a thickness of 0.010 inches to 0.100 inches and a surface hardness of 75 Shore C or greater; and

a cover layer having a thickness of from 0.010 inches to 0.050 inches and a surface hardness of 60 Shore D or less;

wherein the specific gravity of at least one of the center, intermediate core layer, and outer core layer is greater than 1.25 g/cc.