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US 8,998,750 B2Granted
Multi-layered coes for golf balls having foam and thermoset layers
AssigneeAcushnet Company
InventorsMichael J. Sullivan, Derek A. Ladd, Mark L. Binette, Brian Comeau, Michael Michalewich, Shawn Ricci
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Multi-layered golf ball core sub-assemblies and the resulting golf balls are provided. The core structure includes an inner core (center) comprising a foam composition, preferably foamed polyurethane. The intermediate and outer core layers are preferably formed from non-foamed thermoset compositions such as polybutadiene rubber. The core layers have different hardness and specific gravity levels. The core structure and resulting ball have relatively good resiliency.
Claims27
A core assembly for a golf ball, comprising:
- i) an inner core layer comprising a foamed composition, the inner core layer having a diameter in the range of about 0.100 to about 1.100 inches, a specific gravity (SGinner), and 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;
- ii) an intermediate core layer comprising a first thermoset material, the intermediate layer being disposed about the inner core and having a thickness in the range of about 0.050 to about 0.400 inches, a specific gravity (SGintermediate), and an outer surface hardness (Houter surface of IC) and an inner surface hardness (Hinner surface of IC), the Houter surface of IC being the same or less than the Hinner surface of IC to provide a zero or negative hardness gradient;
- and
- iii) an outer core layer comprising a second thermoset material, the outer core layer being disposed about the intermediate core layer and having a thickness in the range of about 0.100 to about 0.750 inches, a specific gravity (SGouter), and an outer surface hardness (Houter surface of OC) and an inner surface hardness (Hinner surface of OC), the Houter surface of OC being greater than the Hinner surface of OC to provide a positive hardness gradient,
- wherein the SGouter, is greater than the SGinner, and the SGintermediate is greater than the SGinner.
2 more elements
A core assembly for a golf ball, comprising:
- i) an inner core layer comprising a foamed composition, the inner core layer having a diameter in the range of about 0.100 to about 1.100 inches, a specific gravity (SGinner), and 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;
- ii) an intermediate core layer comprising a first thermoset material, the intermediate layer being disposed about the inner core and having a thickness in the range of about 0.050 to about 0.400 inches, a specific gravity (SGintermediate), and an outer surface hardness (Houter surface of IC) and an inner surface hardness (Hinner surface of IC), the Houter surface of IC being greater than the Hinner surface of IC to provide a positive hardness gradient;
- and
- iii) an outer core layer comprising a second thermoset material, the outer core layer being disposed about the intermediate core layer and having a thickness in the range of about 0.100 to about 0.750 inches, a specific gravity (SGouter), and an outer surface hardness (Houter surface of OC) and an inner surface hardness (Hinner surface of OC), 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 SGouter, is greater than the SGinner, and the SGintermediate is greater than the SGinner.
2 more elements
A core assembly for a golf ball, comprising:
- i) an inner core layer comprising a foamed composition, the inner core layer having a diameter in the range of about 0.100 to about 1.100 inches, a specific gravity (SGinner), and 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;
- ii) an intermediate core layer comprising a first thermoset material, the intermediate layer being disposed about the inner core and having a thickness in the range of about 0.050 to about 0.400 inches, a specific gravity (SGintermediate), and an outer surface hardness (Houter surface of IC) and an inner surface hardness (Hinner surface of IC), the Houter surface of IC being greater than the Hinner surface of IC to provide a positive hardness gradient;
- and
- iii) an outer core layer comprising a second thermoset material, the outer core layer being disposed about the intermediate core layer and having a thickness in the range of about 0.100 to about 0.750 inches, a specific gravity (SGouter), and an outer surface hardness (Houter surface of OC) and an inner surface hardness (Hinner surface of OC), the Houter surface of OC being greater than the Hinner surface of OC to provide a positive hardness gradient,
- wherein the SGouter, is greater than the SGinner, and the SGintermediate is greater than the SGinner.
2 more elements
A core assembly for a golf ball, comprising:
- i) an inner core layer comprising a foamed composition, the inner core layer having a diameter in the range of about 0.100 to about 1.100 inches, a specific gravity (SGinner), and 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;
- ii) an intermediate core layer comprising a first thermoset material, the intermediate layer being disposed about the inner core and having a thickness in the range of about 0.050 to about 0.400 inches, a specific gravity (SGintermediate) and an outer surface hardness (Houter surface of IC) and an inner surface hardness (Hinner surface of IC), the Houter surface of IC being the same or less than the Hinner surface of IC to provide a zero or negative hardness gradient;
- and
- iii) an outer core layer comprising a second thermoset material, the outer core layer being disposed about the intermediate core layer and having a thickness in the range of about 0.100 to about 0.750 inches, a specific gravity (SGouter), and an outer surface hardness (Houter surface of OC) and an inner surface hardness (Hinner surface of OC), the Houter surface of OC being greater than the Hinner surface of OC to provide a positive hardness gradient,
- wherein the SGouter, is greater than the SGinner, and the SGintermediate is greater than the SGinner.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.