Golf ball including hybrid core formed via three-dimensional printing
AssigneeAcushnet Company
InventorsDouglas E. Jones, Edward Costa
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A golf ball is disclosed herein that includes a core comprised of two distinct layers. A first core layer is formed from three-dimensional printing and has a non-spherical profile. A second core layer is formed from traditional core layer formation techniques around the first core layer. The first core layer can have a profile that is comprised of a central hub, which can be spherical or non-spherical, and a plurality of spokes extending therefrom. The spokes can have an elongated shape and can have a length greater than a diameter of the hub. The spokes can further include branches extending therefrom.
Claims20
A golf ball comprising:
- a core including at least a first core layer and a second core layer,
- wherein the first core layer is arranged radially inward from the second core layer,
- the first core layer includes a hub and a plurality of spokes extending therefrom, wherein the plurality of spokes includes at least twelve spokes, and
- wherein the first core layer is formed from a first composition having a first flexural modulus, and the second core layer is formed from a second composition having a second flexural modulus, wherein the first flexural modulus is greater than the second flexural modulus;
- and
- a cover disposed around the core.
A golf ball comprising:
- a core including at least a first core layer and a second core layer, wherein the first core layer is arranged radially inward from the second core layer, the first core layer is formed from a first composition having a first flexural modulus, and the second core layer is formed from a second composition having a second flexural modulus that is at least 50% less than the first flexural modulus;
- the first core layer includes a hub and a plurality of spokes and is formed via three-dimensional printing, the plurality of spokes includes at least twelve spokes and no greater than thirty-six spokes,
- wherein the plurality of spokes each include at least one branch that extends away from a respective one of the plurality of spokes;
- wherein a length of the plurality of spokes is at least two times greater than a thickness of the plurality of spokes, and the length of the plurality of spokes is at least two times greater than a diameter of the hub,
- wherein the hub of the first core layer has a hub volume and the plurality of spokes of the first core layer has a spokes volume, and the hub volume is less than or equal to the spokes volume;
- wherein the first core layer has a first core layer volume and the second core layer has a second core layer volume, and the core has a total core volume, and the second core layer volume is at least 70% of the total core volume, and
- a cover disposed around the core.
A method of forming a golf ball core, the method comprising:
- forming a first core layer via three-dimensional printing, wherein the first core layer includes a hub with a plurality of spokes extending away from the hub and a plurality of branches extending away from a respective one of the plurality of spokes, wherein the plurality of spokes includes at least twelve spokes;
- and
- forming a second core layer around the first core layer via compression molding, wherein the first core layer is formed from a first composition having a first flexural modulus, and the second core layer is formed from a second composition having a second flexural modulus that is at least 50% less than the first flexural modulus.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.