Multi-layer core golf ball

• US 8,939,850 B2
• Filed: 12/06/2011
• Issued: 01/27/2015
• 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., Ladd, Derek A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gorden, Raeann
• Application Number:
  US13/312,370
• Publication Number:
  US 20120077622A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,148 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 37/0043 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 37/0063 Hardness gradient
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0064 Diameter
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0065 Deflection or compression
• 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 37/0087 Deflection or compression
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0092 Hardness distribution amongst different ball layers

Abstract

Golf balls comprising a multi-layer core and a single-, dual-, or multi-layer cover are disclosed. The multi-layer core comprises a thermoplastic center and a thermoplastic outer core layer that are both soft relative to a hard, thermoset intermediate core layer.

Claims

1. A golf ball comprising:

a center formed from a first thermoplastic composition and having a center hardness of from 20 Shore C to 90 Shore C, a diameter of from 0.50 inches to 1.50 inches, and a specific gravity of from 0.50 g/cc to 1.18 g/cc;

an intermediate core layer formed from a rubber composition and having a surface hardness of from 40 Shore D to 70 Shore D;

an outer core layer formed from a second thermoplastic composition and having a surface hardness of from 20 Shore C to 90 Shore C; and

a cover;

wherein the intermediate core layer has a surface hardness that is greater than both the center hardness of the center and the surface hardness of the outer core layer.

2. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the center hardness of the center is less than the surface hardness of the outer core layer.

3. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the center hardness of the center is greater than the surface hardness of the outer core layer.

4. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the cover comprises an inner cover layer and an outer cover layer.

5. The golf ball of claim 4, wherein the inner cover layer has a surface hardness of 60 Shore D or greater;

the outer cover layer has a surface hardness of from 20 Shore D to 70 Shore D.

6. The golf ball of claim 5, wherein the surface hardness of the outer cover layer is less than the surface hardness of the inner cover layer.

7. The golf ball of claim 5, wherein the surface hardness of the outer cover layer is greater than the surface hardness of the inner cover layer.