Golf balls having dual-layered cores with metal-containing centers and thermoset outer cores
First Claim
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1. A golf ball having a multi-layered core, comprising:
- i) an inner core comprising a metal material, the inner core having a diameter in the range of about 0.100 to 1.100 inches, a specific gravity (SGinner of 1.60 to 6.25 g/cc, and an outer surface hardness (Hcenter surface) and a center hardness (Hcenter material), the Hcenter surface being greater than the Hcenter material to provide a positive hardness gradient, wherein the metal material of the inner core is a metal selected from the group consisting of copper, steel, brass, tungsten, titanium, aluminum, magnesium, molybdenum, cobalt, nickel, iron, tin, bronze, silver, gold, and platinum, and alloys and combinations thereof;
ii) an outer core layer comprising a thermoset material, the outer core layer being disposed about the inner core and having a thickness in the range of about 0.200 to about 1.200 inches, a specific gravity (SGouter), and an outer surface hardness (Houter surface of OC) of 40 to 85 Shore D and an inner surface hardness (Hinner surface of OC) of 42 to 87 Shore D, the Houter surface of OC being the same or less than the Hinner surface of OC to provide a zero or negative hardness gradient, wherein the SGinner is greater than the SGouter and the diameter of the inner core layer is less than the thickness of the outer core layer, andii) a cover having at least one layer disposed about the multi-layered core.
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Abstract
Multi-piece golf balls containing a dual-core structure are provided. The core structure includes a small, heavy inner core (center) having a relatively high specific gravity and a surrounding outer core layer having a relatively low specific gravity. The core structure may have different hardness gradients. The center of the core comprises a metal material such as copper, steel, brass, tungsten, titanium, aluminum, and alloys thereof. The outer core layer preferably is formed from a thermoset composition such as polybutadiene rubber. The resulting ball has high resiliency and good spin control.
68 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A golf ball having a multi-layered core, comprising:
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i) an inner core comprising a metal material, the inner core having a diameter in the range of about 0.100 to 1.100 inches, a specific gravity (SGinner of 1.60 to 6.25 g/cc, and an outer surface hardness (Hcenter surface) and a center hardness (Hcenter material), the Hcenter surface being greater than the Hcenter material to provide a positive hardness gradient, wherein the metal material of the inner core is a metal selected from the group consisting of copper, steel, brass, tungsten, titanium, aluminum, magnesium, molybdenum, cobalt, nickel, iron, tin, bronze, silver, gold, and platinum, and alloys and combinations thereof; ii) an outer core layer comprising a thermoset material, the outer core layer being disposed about the inner core and having a thickness in the range of about 0.200 to about 1.200 inches, a specific gravity (SGouter), and an outer surface hardness (Houter surface of OC) of 40 to 85 Shore D and an inner surface hardness (Hinner surface of OC) of 42 to 87 Shore D, the Houter surface of OC being the same or less than the Hinner surface of OC to provide a zero or negative hardness gradient, wherein the SGinner is greater than the SGouter and the diameter of the inner core layer is less than the thickness of the outer core layer, and ii) a cover having at least one layer disposed about the multi-layered core. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification