Multi-layer golf ball

• US 8,123,629 B2
• Filed: 09/17/2008
• Issued: 02/28/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/28/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Acushnet Company (FILA Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Acushnet Company (FILA Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Ladd, Derek A., Cooper, Scott
• Primary Examiner(s): Gorden, Raeann
• Application Number:
  US12/212,264
• Publication Number:
  US 20090011864A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,259 Days
• Field of Search: 473/376, 473/373, 473/374, 473/368
• 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 Shore C hardness of the outer core layer'"'"'s outer surface is greater than that of the inner cover layer'"'"'s outer surface, and the Shore C hardness of the outer core layer'"'"'s outer surface is at least 20 Shore C units greater than that of the center.

Claims

1. A golf ball consisting essentially of:

an inner core layer formed from a first rubber composition and having a diameter of from 0.75 inches to 1.05 inches, a center Shore C hardness (H_center) of 50 or greater, and an outer surface Shore C hardness of 80 or greater;

an outer core layer formed from a second rubber composition and having an outer surface Shore C hardness (H_{outer core}) of 85 or greater;

an inner cover layer formed from a thermoplastic composition and having an outer surface Shore C hardness (H_{inner cover}) of 95 or less;

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

a moisture vapor barrier layer disposed between the outer core layer and the inner cover layer;

wherein H_{outer core}>

H_{inner cover}; and

wherein H_{outer core}−

H_center≧

20 Shore C units.

2. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the diameter of the inner core layer is from 0.95 inches to 1.05 inches.

3. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein H_center is from 60 Shore C to 70 Shore C.

4. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the outer surface hardness of the inner core layer is from 80 Shore C to 90 Shore C.

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

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

H_center≧

25 Shore C units.

7. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein H_{inner cover} is from 80 Shore C to 95 Shore C.

8. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein H_{inner cover} is from 87 Shore C to 91 Shore C.

9. 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 80 Shore C to 90 Shore C, and H_{outer core} is 90 Shore C or greater.

10. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein H_{outer core} is 90 Shore C or greater and H_{inner cover} is from 80 Shore C to 95 Shore C.

11. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein H_{outer core} is greater than 90 Shore C and H_{inner cover} is from 87 Shore C to 91 Shore C.

12. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the core has an overall dual core compression of from 80 to 100.

13. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the core has an overall dual core compression of from 85 to 95.

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

15. A golf ball comprising:

a core having a diameter of from 1.525 inches to 1.555 inches, a compression of from 85 to 95, and consisting of;

an inner core layer formed from a first rubber composition and having a diameter of from 0.900 inches to 1.100 inches, a center Shore C hardness (H_center) of 60 or greater, and an outer surface Shore C hardness of 80 or greater; and

an outer core layer formed from a second rubber composition and having an outer surface Shore C hardness (H_{outer core}) of from 85 to 95;

a cover consisting of;

an inner cover layer formed from a thermoplastic composition and having an outer surface Shore C hardness (H_{inner cover}) of 95 or less; and

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

a moisture vapor barrier layer disposed between the core and the cover;

wherein H_{outer core}>

H_{inner cover}; and

wherein H_{outer core}−

H_center≧

20 Shore C units.

16. The golf ball of claim 15, wherein H_{outer core}−

H_center≧

25 Shore C units.