Multi-layer golf ball

• US 8,840,494 B2
• Filed: 01/28/2013
• Issued: 09/23/2014
• 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: Sullivan, Michael J., Ladd, Derek A., Morgan, William E., Boehm, Herbert C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gorden, Raeann
• Application Number:
  US13/751,312
• Publication Number:
  US 20130137536A1
• Time in Patent Office: 603 Days
• Field of Search: 473/373, 473/374, 473/376
• 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.

Claims

1. A golf ball consisting essentially of:

an inner core layer formed from a rubber composition and having a center hardness of 60 Shore C or greater and an outer surface hardness of 80 Shore C or greater;

an outer core layer having a diameter of from 1.40 inches to 1.59 inches and formed from a highly neutralized polymer composition having a specific gravity of from 0.95 g/cc to 0.99 g/cc and a material hardness of 35 Shore D or greater;

an inner cover layer formed from a thermoplastic composition and having a material hardness of 95 Shore C or less; 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 the outer core layer composition has a modulus within the range of 25,000 psi to 75,000 psi.

3. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the outer core layer composition has a moisture vapor transmission rate of 8 g-mil/100 in²/day or less.

4. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the center hardness of the inner core layer is from 60 Shore C to 80 Shore C.

5. 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.

6. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the material hardness of the outer core layer composition is 45 Shore D or greater.

7. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the outer cover has a surface hardness of from 40 Shore D to 65 Shore D.

8. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein a sphere formed from the outer core layer composition has a compression of from 70 to 110.

9. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the outer core layer has a diameter of from 1.51 inches to 1.56 inches.

10. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the outer core layer has a diameter of from 1.52 inches to 1.56 inches.