Golf balls having multi-layer cores based on polyalkenamer compositions

• US 9,623,287 B2
• Filed: 12/07/2015
• Issued: 04/18/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 01/10/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Acushnet Company (FILA Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Acushnet Company (FILA Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Sullivan, Michael J., Comeau, Brian, Goguen, Douglas S., Blink, Robert, Bulpett, David A., Binette, Mark L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gorden, Raeann
• Application Number:
  US14/960,625
• Publication Number:
  US 20160082321A1
• Time in Patent Office: 498 Days
• Field of Search: 473376
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0024 Materials other than ionomers or polyurethane
• 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 37/0044 Hardness gradient
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0045 Thickness
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0047 Density; Specific gravity
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0051 Materials other than polybutadienes; Constructional details
• 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 37/0075 Three piece balls, i.e. cover, intermediate layer and core
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0076 Multi-piece balls, i.e. having two or more intermediate layers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/008 Diameter
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0091 Density distribution amongst the different ball layers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0092 : Hardness distribution amongst different ball layers

Abstract

The present invention generally relates to golf balls and more particularly to golf balls having multi-layered cores comprising a thermoset rubber center, a thermoplastic intermediate core layer, and a thermoset rubber outer core layer. A cover layer is disposed about the multi-layered core. At least one of the center, intermediate core layer, and outer core layer comprises a polyalkenamer rubber. In one preferred embodiment, the center, intermediate core, and outer core layers have positive hardness gradients. The core layers preferably have different specific gravities. The polyalkenamer rubber may be blended with other rubbers such as polybutadiene, polyisoprene, ethylene propylene diene, and styrene-butadiene rubbers. The polyalkenamer rubber composition helps improve resiliency of the core and provides the ball with a comfortable and soft feel.

Claims

1. A golf ball comprising:

an inner core layer having an outer surface and geometric center, the inner core being formed from a first thermoset rubber composition and having a diameter of 0.250 inches to 1.550 inches, wherein the outer surface hardness is 25 Shore C to 95 Shore C and the center hardness is 20 Shore C to 90 Shore C, the inner core having a positive hardness gradient;

an intermediate core layer formed from a thermoplastic composition and having a thickness of 0.005 inches to 0.100 inches and a surface hardness of 60 Shore or less, the intermediate core layer having to positive hardness gradient;

an outer core layer formed from a second thermoset rubber composition and having a thickness of 0.020 inches to 0.150 inches and an outer surface hardness that is greater than the Shore C outer surface hardness of the inner core layer the outer surface hardness being in the range of range of 30 Shore C to 95 Shore C, the outer core layer having a positive hardness gradient; and

a cover layer having a thickness of 0.020 inches to 0.075 inches and a surface hardness of 65 Shore or less;

wherein at least one of the center, intermediate core laser, and outer core layer comprises a polyalkenamer rubber composition, the polyalkenamer being present in the composition in an amount of at least 50 weight percent.

2. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the polyalkeanmer rubber composition comprises a blend of polybutadiene rubber and polyalkenamer rubber.

3. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the polyalkeanmer rubber composition comprises a blend of polyisoprene rubber and polyalkenamer rubber.

4. The Rolf ball of claim 1, wherein the polyalkeanmer rubber composition comprises a blend of ethylene propylene diene rubber and polyalkenamer rubber.

5. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the polyalkeanmer rubber composition comprises a blend of styrene-butadiene rubber and polyalkenamer rubber.

6. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the specific gravity of at least one of the center, intermediate core layer, and outer core layer is less than 1.05 g/cc.

7. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the center has a specific gravity of greater than 1.25 g/cc.

8. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the compression of the inner core layer is within the range of 10 to 90.

9. The golf ball of claim 8, when the compression of the inner core layer is 50 or less.

10. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the inner core layer comprises the polyalkenamer rubber composition.

11. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the inner core and outer core layers comprises the polyalkenamer rubber composition.

12. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein each core layer comprises the polyalkenamer rubber composition.