Multi-layer golf ball

• US 9,108,084 B2
• Filed: 05/13/2014
• Issued: 08/18/2015
• 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, Hebert C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gorden, Raeann
• Application Number:
  US14/275,932
• Publication Number:
  US 20140248978A1
• Time in Patent Office: 462 Days
• Field of Search: 473/376
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0003 Golf balls
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0027 Polyurea
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0031 Hardness
• 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 37/0059 Ionomer
• 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 37/0066 Density; Specific gravity
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0076 Multi-piece balls, i.e. having two or more intermediate layers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0078 Coefficient of restitution
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/008 Diameter
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0087 Deflection or compression
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/00922 whereby hardness of the cover is lower than hardness of the intermediate layers
• CPC Class Codes: C08K 5/20 Carboxylic acid amides

Abstract

Golf balls consisting of a dual core and a dual cover are disclosed. The surface hardness of the outer core layer is greater than the material hardness of the inner cover layer, and is preferably 75 Shore C or greater.

Claims

1. A golf ball consisting of:

a center formed from a first rubber composition and having a diameter of from 1.20 inches to 1.30 inches, a center hardness of 50 Shore C or greater, and a compression of from 20 to 40;

an outer core layer formed from a second rubber composition and having a surface hardness of 90 Shore C or greater;

an inner cover layer formed from a thermoplastic composition comprising a blend of ionomer resin and a maleic anhydride-grafted polymer and having a material hardness of less than 95 Shore C; and

an outer cover layer formed from a thermosetting polyurethane or polyurea composition;

wherein the center has a surface hardness substantially equal to the center hardness;

wherein the surface hardness of the outer core layer is at least 20 Shore C units greater than the center hardness; and

wherein the surface hardness of the outer core layer is greater than the material hardness of the inner cover layer.

2. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the surface hardness of the outer core layer is greater than the material hardness of the outer cover layer.

3. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the material hardness of the inner cover layer is from 80 Shore C to 90 Shore C.

4. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the material hardness of the inner cover layer is from 84 Shore C to 90 Shore C.