# US 2014/0155195 A1 · Golf balls having non-uniform core structures with metal-containing centers

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- Number: US 2014/0155195 A1
- Document ID: US20140155195A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 14/170,737
- Filed: 2014-02-03
- Published: 2014-06-05
- Earliest claimed: 2012-09-07
- Assignees: Acushnet Company
- Applicants: Acushnet Company
- Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan; Mark L. Binette
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140155195A1

## CPC

- A63B 37/0075: {Three piece balls, i.e. cover, intermediate layer and core}
- A63B 37/0024: {Materials other than ionomers or polyurethane}
- A63B 37/0033: {Thickness}
- A63B 37/0039: {characterised by the material}
- A63B 37/0043: {Hardness}
- A63B 37/0044: {Hardness gradient}
- A63B 37/0045: {Thickness}
- A63B 37/0047: {Density; Specific gravity}
- A63B 37/0054: {Substantially rigid, e.g. metal}
- A63B 37/00621: {Centre hardness}
- A63B 37/00622: {Surface hardness}
- A63B 37/0063: {Hardness gradient}
- A63B 37/0064: {Diameter}
- A63B 37/0066: {Density; Specific gravity}
- A63B 37/0076: {Multi-piece balls, i.e. having two or more intermediate layers}
- A63B 37/0091: {Density distribution amongst the different ball layers}
- A63B 37/00922: {whereby hardness of the cover is lower than hardness of the intermediate layers}
- A63B 37/0097: {Layers interlocking by means of protrusions or inserts, lattices or the like}
- A63B: APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT (apparatus for passive exercising, massage A61H)

## Abstract

Multi-piece golf balls having a solid core and cover are provided. The ball contains a small, heavy inner core and surrounding outer core layer. The inner core preferably contains metal materials such as copper, steel, brass, tungsten, titanium, nickel, iron, tin, and bronze particles. The outer surface of the inner core preferably has a non-uniform structure and includes projecting members. For example, the outer surface may contain multiple projecting ribs with gaps located between the ribs. The ball includes a cover surrounding the core structure. The cover may be multi-layered.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A multi-layered golf ball, comprising:
i) an inner core comprising a metal material, the inner core having a center and outer surface, and a diameter in the range of about 0.100 to about 1.100 inches, the inner core having projecting members on the outer surface;
ii) an outer core layer comprising a thermoset or 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 0.800 inches, wherein the inner core has a specific gravity (SGinner) and a center hardness (Hinner core center), and the outer core has a specific gravity (SGouter) and an outer surface hardness ((Houter surface of OC), the SGinner being greater than the SGouter, and the Hinner core center being in the range of about 10 to about 80 Shore C and the Houter surface of OC being in the range of about 65 to about 96 Shore C to provide a positive hardness gradient across the core assembly; and
iii) a cover having at least one layer disposed about the multi-layered core.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the projecting members are spaced apart from each other and gaps are located between the projections.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The golf ball of claim 2, wherein the projecting members are shaped and positioned so that the inner core has a substantially spherical shape.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The golf ball of claim 2, wherein the outer core layer is disposed about the inner core such that the material of the outer core layer fills the gaps between the projecting members.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the metal material of the inner core is a metal selected from the group consisting of copper, steel, brass, tungsten, titanium, aluminum, magnesium, molybdenum, cobalt, nickel, iron, tin, bronze, silver, gold, and platinum, and oxides, and alloys and combinations thereof.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the inner core has a diameter in the range of about 0.100 to about 0.500 inches and specific gravity in the range of about 1.60 to about 6.25 g/cc.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the inner core has a diameter in the range of about 0.30 to about 0.80 inches and specific gravity in the range of about 1.80 to about 5.00 g/cc.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the outer core layer comprises a thermoset rubber material selected from the group consisting of polybutadiene, ethylene-propylene rubber, ethylene-propylene-diene rubber, polyisoprene, styrene-butadiene rubber, polyalkenamers, butyl rubber, halobutyl rubber, polystyrene elastomers, copolymers of isobutylene and p-alkylstyrene, halogenated copolymers of isobutylene and p-alkylstyrene, copolymers of butadiene with acrylonitrile, polychloroprene, alkyl acrylate rubber, chlorinated isoprene rubber, acrylonitrile chlorinated isoprene rubber, and mixtures thereof.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The golf ball of claim 8, wherein the rubber material is polybutadiene.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the outer core layer has a thickness in the range of about 0.250 to about 0.750 inches and specific gravity in the range of about 0.60 to about 4.10 g/cc.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the outer core layer comprises a thermoplastic polymer selected from the group consisting of partially-neutralized ionomers; highly-neutralized ionomers; polyesters; polyamides; polyamide-ethers, polyamide-esters; polyurethanes, polyureas; fluoropolymers; polystyrenes; polypropylenes; polyethylenes; polyvinyl chlorides; polyvinyl acetates; polycarbonates; polyvinyl alcohols; polyester-ethers; polyethers; polyimides, polyetherketones, polyamideimides; and mixtures thereof.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The golf ball of claim 11, wherein the thermoplastic material is an ionomer composition comprising an O/X/Y-type copolymer, wherein 0 is α-olefin, X is a C3-C8 α,β-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid present in an amount of 10 to 20 wt. %, based on total weight of the copolymer, and Y is an acrylate selected from alkyl acrylates and aryl acrylates present in an amount of 0 to 50 wt. %, based on total weight of the copolymer, wherein greater than 70% of the acid groups present in the composition are neutralized with a metal ion.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the inner core layer has an outer surface hardness (Hinner core surface) and a center hardness (Hinner core center), the Hinner core surface being greater than the Hinner core center to provide a positive hardness gradient; and the outer core layer has an outer surface hardness (Houter surface of OC) and a midpoint hardness (Hmidpoint of OC), the Houter surface of OC being greater than the (Hmidpoint of OC), to provide a positive hardness gradient.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The golf ball of claim 13, wherein the Hinner core center is in the range of about 10 to about 78 Shore C and the Hinner core surface is in the range of about 24 to about 81 Shore C.

### Claim 15 (depends on 13)

The golf ball of claim 13, wherein the Hmidpoint of OC is in the range of about 40 to about 87 Shore C and the Houter surface of OC is in the range of about 72 to about 95 Shore C.

### Claim 16 (depends on 1)

The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the inner core layer has an outer surface hardness (Hinner core surface) and a center hardness (Hinner core center), the Hinner core surface being the same or less than the Hinner core center to provide a zero or negative hardness gradient; and the outer core layer has an outer surface hardness (Houter surface of OC) and a midpoint hardness (Hmidpoint of OC), the Houter surface of OC being greater than the (Hmidpoint of OC), to provide a positive hardness gradient.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The golf ball of claim 16, wherein the Hinner core center is in the range of about 10 to about 60 Shore C and the Hinner core surface is in the range of about 10 to about 55 Shore C.

### Claim 18 (depends on 16)

The golf ball of claim 16, wherein the (Hmidpoint of OC) is in the range of about 45 to about 85 Shore C and the Houter surface of OC is in the range of about 72 to about 95 Shore C.

### Claim 19 (depends on 1)

The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the cover is a single layer having a thickness of about 0.015 to about 0.090 inches and is formed from a thermoplastic or thermoset material.

### Claim 20 (depends on 1)

The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the cover comprises an inner cover layer and outer cover layer, each cover having a surface hardness, wherein the surface hardness of the inner cover layer is greater than the surface hardness of the outer cover layer.

### Claim 21 (depends on 1)

The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the cover has at least one layer formed from a composition comprising a polymer selected from the group consisting of ethylene acid copolymer ionomers; polyesters; polyamides; polyamide-ethers, polyamide-esters; polyurethanes, polyureas; fluoropolymers; polystyrenes; polypropylenes and polyethylenes; polyvinyl chlorides; polyvinyl acetates; polycarbonates; polyvinyl alcohols; polyethers; polyimides, polyetherketones, polyamideimides; and mixtures thereof.