Golf ball having improved playability properties
AssigneeSpalding & Evenflo Companies, Inc.
InventorsRobert P. Molitor, Terence Melvin, John L. Nealon, David W. Dreifus
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Disclosed is a golf ball having improved short iron and wood playability and improved puttability relative to conventional, ionomer covered balls. The golf balls comprise a novel cover which is far more durable than balata-covered balls yet closely approach or exceed their playability characteristics. The cover comprises a blend of a thermoplastic urethane having a Shore A hardness less than 95 and an ionomer having a Shore D hardness greater than 55. The relative amounts of the urethane and ionomer are set so that the cover has a Shore C hardness within the range of 70 to 85, most preferably 72 to 76.
Claims23
A composition of matter for molding a cover for a golf ball, said composition comprising a thermoplastic urethane polymer and said having a Shore A hardness less than 95 and an ionomer comprising olefinic groups having 2 to 4 carbon atoms copolymerized with a monocarboxylic acid having 3 to 4 carbon atoms, said acid groups being at least partially neutralized with a metal ion, said ionomer having a Shore D hardness greater than 55, the relative amounts of said urethane polymer and said ionomer being sufficient to produce a cover having a Shore C hardness within the range of 70 to 85.
In a golf ball having a core and a cover, the improvement wherein the cover comprises a blend of a thermoplastic urethane polymer having a Shore A hardness less than 95 and an ionomer having a Shore D hardness greater than 55, said ionomer comprising olefinic groups having 2 to 4 carbon atoms copolymerized with acrylic or methacrylic acid groups, said acid groups being at least partly neutralized with a metal ion, the relative amounts of said urethane polymer and said ionomer being sufficient to produce a cover having a Shore C hardness within the range of 70 to 85.
A golf ball cover comprising a blend of a thermoplastic urethane polymer having a Shore A hardness less than 95 and an ionomer comprising olefinic groups having 2 to 4 carbon atoms copolymerized with a monocarboxylic acid having 3 to 4 carbon atoms, said acid groups being at least partially neutralized with a metal ion, said ionomer having a Shore D hardness greater than 55, the relative amounts of said urethane polymer and said ionomer being sufficient to produce a cover having a Shore C hardness within the range of 70 to 85.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.