Golf balls having dual-layered cores with metal-containing centers and thermoplastic 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 dispersed in a thermoset polymeric matrix, the inner core having a diameter in the range of about 0.100 to about 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), wherein the Hcenter material is in the range of about 44 to about 74 Shore D, the Hcenter surface being greater than the Hcenter material to provide a positive hardness gradient;
ii) an outer core layer comprising a thermoplastic 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 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
iii) a cove having at least one layer disposed about the multi-layered core.
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Abstract
Multi-piece golf balls containing a dual-layered 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. The layers of 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 dispersed in a thermoset polymeric matrix. The outer core layer is preferably formed from a thermoplastic composition such as an ethylene acid copolymer ionomer resin. The resulting ball has high resiliency and good spin.
67 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 dispersed in a thermoset polymeric matrix, the inner core having a diameter in the range of about 0.100 to about 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), wherein the Hcenter material is in the range of about 44 to about 74 Shore D, the Hcenter surface being greater than the Hcenter material to provide a positive hardness gradient; ii) an outer core layer comprising a thermoplastic 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 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 iii) a cove 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