Multi-layer core golf ball

• US 9,289,652 B2
• Filed: 10/21/2013
• Issued: 03/22/2016
• 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., Hebert, Edmund A., Binette, Mark L., Comeau, Brian
• Primary Examiner(s): Gorden, Raeann
• Application Number:
  US14/058,374
• Publication Number:
  US 20140045613A1
• Time in Patent Office: 883 Days
• Field of Search: 473/376
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 37/00621 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 37/00922 whereby hardness of the cover is lower than hardness of the intermediate layers

Abstract

Golf balls comprising a multi-layer core and a cover are disclosed. The multi-layer core comprises at least one intermediate core layer formed from a metallic, composite, or inorganic/organic hybrid composition.

Claims

1. A golf ball comprising:

an inner core comprising a center formed from a first thermoplastic composition, wherein the inner core has a diameter of from 1.000 inches to 1.580 inches, a center hardness of from 40 Shore C to 70 Shore C, and a surface hardness of from 50 Shore C to 95 Shore C;

an intermediate core layer having a thickness of from 0.010 inches to 0.070 inches and a surface hardness of from 65 Shore D to 95 Shore D and formed from a composition selected from the group consisting of metallic, composite, and inorganic/organic hybrid compositions;

an outer core layer formed from a second thermoplastic composition and having a thickness of from 0.010 inches to 0.075 inches and a surface hardness of from 45 Shore C to 90 Shore C; 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 diameter of the inner core is from 1.400 inches to 1.490 inches.

3. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the outer surface hardness of the intermediate core layer is from 75 Shore D to 95 Shore D.

4. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the inner core comprises an additional inner core layer.

5. The golf ball of claim 4, wherein the additional inner core layer is formed from a thermoset composition.

6. The golf ball of claim 4, wherein the additional inner core layer is formed from a thermoplastic composition.

7. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the golf ball additionally comprises a thermoset core layer disposed between the intermediate core layer and the outer core layer.

8. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the golf ball additionally comprises a first thermoset core layer disposed between the inner core and the intermediate core layer and a second thermoset core layer disposed between the intermediate core layer and the outer core layer.

9. A golf ball comprising:

a core consisting of;

an inner core layer formed from a first thermoplastic composition and having a diameter of from 1.000 inches to 1.580 inches, a center hardness of from 40 Shore C to 70 Shore C, and a surface hardness of from 50 Shore C to 95 Shore C;

an intermediate core layer having a thickness of from 0.010 inches to 0.070 inches and a surface hardness of from 65 Shore D to 95 Shore D and formed from a composition selected from the group consisting of metallic, composite, and inorganic/organic hybrid compositions;

a first outer core layer formed from a second thermoplastic composition; and

a second outer core layer formed from a thermoset composition and having a thickness of from 0.010 inches to 0.075 inches and a surface hardness of from 45 Shore C to 90 Shore C; 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.