Multi-layer golf ball

• US 9,308,419 B2
• Filed: 07/07/2014
• Issued: 04/12/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/28/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• 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:
  US14/324,503
• Publication Number:
  US 20140323246A1
• Time in Patent Office: 645 Days
• Field of Search: 473/376
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0003 Golf balls
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0043 Hardness
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/00621 Centre hardness
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/00622 Surface hardness
• 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 37/0092 Hardness distribution amongst different ball layers

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 essentially of:

a center formed from a first rubber composition and having a diameter of from 0.75 inches to 1.19 inches, a center hardness of 65 Shore C or greater, and a surface hardness of 80 Shore C or greater;

an outer core layer formed from a second rubber composition and having a surface hardness of 85 Shore C or greater;

an inner cover layer formed from a thermoplastic composition 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 surface hardness of the center is at least 10 Shore C units greater than 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 diameter of the center is from 0.85 inches to 1.15 inches.

3. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the diameter of the center is from 0.875 inches to 1.125 inches.

4. 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.

5. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the material hardness of the inner cover layer is from 80 Shore C to 95 Shore C.

6. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the material hardness of the inner cover layer is from 84 Shore C to 92 Shore C.

7. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the surface hardness of the outer core layer is at least 25 Shore C units greater than the center hardness.