Multi-layer core golf ball

• US 8,852,027 B2
• Filed: 06/24/2013
• Issued: 10/07/2014
• 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., Binette, Mark L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gorden, Raeann
• Application Number:
  US13/924,754
• Publication Number:
  US 20130288826A1
• Time in Patent Office: 470 Days
• Field of Search: 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 37/0035 Density; Specific gravity
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0039 characterised by the material
• 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 37/00622 Surface hardness
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0063 Hardness gradient
• 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

Abstract

Golf balls consisting of a multi-layer core and a cover are disclosed. The multi-layer core comprises at least one intermediate core layer formed from a thermoset composition other than diene rubber.

Claims

1. A golf ball comprising:

an inner core layer formed from a highly neutralized polymer composition and having a diameter of from 1.000 inches to 1.580 inches;

an intermediate core layer formed from a thermosetting polymer composition excluding diene rubber compositions, and having a thickness of from 0.020 inches to 0.070 inches and a surface hardness of 85 Shore C or greater;

an outer core layer formed from a diene rubber composition and having a thickness of from 0.020 inches to 0.050 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 formed from a composition having a material hardness of from 30 Shore D to 65 Shore D.

2. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the intermediate core layer composition is a castable composition selected from the group consisting of polyurethanes, polyureas, urethane and urea ionomers, epoxies, polyamides, polyesters, polyurethane and polyurea acrylates, epoxy acrylates, silicones, polyimides, and blends and copolymers of two or more thereof.

3. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the inner core layer has a diameter of from 1.350 inches to 1.490 inches, the intermediate core layer has a thickness of from 0.045 inches to 0.055 inches, and the outer core layer has a thickness of from 0.030 inches to 0.040 inches.

4. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the golf ball consists essentially of the inner core layer, the intermediate core layer, the outer core layer, and the cover layer.

5. A golf ball consisting essentially of:

an inner core layer formed from a highly neutralized polymer composition and having a diameter of from 1.000 inches to 1.580 inches;

a first intermediate core layer formed from an ionomer composition and having a thickness of from 0.020 inches to 0.070 inches;

a second intermediate core layer formed from a thermosetting polymer composition excluding diene rubber compositions, and having a thickness of from 0.005 inches to 0.035 inches and a surface hardness of 85 Shore C or greater;

an outer core layer formed from a diene rubber composition and having a thickness of 0. 020 inches to 0.050 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 formed from a composition having a material hardness of from 30 Shore D to 65 Shore D.

6. The golf ball of claim 5, wherein the second intermediate core layer composition is a castable composition selected from the group consisting of polyurethanes, polyureas, urethane and urea ionomers, epoxies, polyamides, polyesters, polyurethane and polyurea acrylates, epoxy acrylates, silicones, polyimides, and blends and copolymers of two or more thereof.

7. The golf ball of claim 5, wherein the inner core layer has a diameter of from 1.350 inches to 1.490 inches, the first intermediate core layer has a thickness of from 0.030 inches to 0.055 inches, and the outer core layer has a thickness of from 0.030 inches to 0.040 inches.

8. The golf ball of claim 5, wherein the thickness of the second intermediate core layer is from 0.010 inches to 0.025 inches.